DHAKA: Airtel Bangladesh Limited, one of the fastest growing mobile services providers in Bangladesh and a concern of Bharti Airtel Limited, has launched Third Generation (3G) internet packages for its valued subscribers.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Shahara Khatun inaugurated the service through a video call at Airtel Corporate office in Dhaka Wednesday.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bangladesh Airtel Chris Tobit said that 3G service will be provided in Banani and Gulshan-2 areas within Thursday.
According to the roll out plan of Airtel, the major areas of Dhaka and Chittagong will be under the blanket of 3G services by October. Major areas of Sylhet will be 3G ready by November as well. The rest of the areas of these three major divisions will be covered gradually by the end of December, 2013.
Minister Shahara Khatun expressed hope that 3G will make the technology sector faster and will help to implement Vision-2021.
Shahara Khatun said, “The position of Bangladesh in the tech-world will be stronger through this service.”
Chris Tobit said that 3G service will open an accessible door for the customers. There will be a significant change in the technology sector along with video call and high speed data download.
Airtel CEO added: “Our responsibilities have also been increased after getting 3G license. We are always trying to meet the expectation of our customers.”
On September 8, Airtel bought 5MHz spectrum during the 3G auction. Airtel Bangladesh bagged 5MHz of 3G spectrum from an auction arranged by BTRC.
The 3G service will help operators provide their users different services including high speed wireless internet, TV output and video conference.
In 2010, Airtel 2G services had covered 25 percent of the area but at present Airtel 2G services is covering over 80 percent. Airtel has invested a significant amount of 125 million US Dollar. And the investment in 3G will be as much as it would be needed, said a source in Airtel.
The inauguration ceremony was attended, among others, by parliamentary standing committee member for Posts and Telecommunications Ministry affairs Abdus Sattar, secretary of the ministry Abu Bakar Siddique and BTRC chairman Sunil Kanti Bosh.
BDST: 1205 HRS, OCT 02, 2013
AKA/BSK
