News Desk: According to information recently received at CityCell’s head office in Mohakhali, the country’s first CDMA technology mobile operator CityCell is interested in resuming operations with advanced technology.
Rise and Fall in History:
In 1989, Bangladesh Telecom Limited (BTCL) acquired the spectrum allocation from BTRC, which was later renamed Hutchison Bangladesh Telecom after investment by Hong Kong’s Hutchison Telecommunications Limited. It was later bought by Pacific Motors and Fareast Telecom, owned by former BNP leader Morshed Khan, and renamed Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Limited, which became known as “CityCell”.
Final Discontinuance and Retaliation Complaints:
In 2016, the license of Citycell was canceled under the Awami government. That year, the government owed Citycell 477 crore rupees, of which 233 crore rupees remained outstanding after paying 244 crore rupees. Later, according to the court’s investigation, Citycell was supposed to receive 10 MHz waves but gave 8.82 MHz, as a result of which the total dues reduced to Tk 128 crores.
Re-licensing and modern technology claims:
Although CityCell’s license was finally canceled in 2023, CityCell in a letter to BTRC on September 1 this year requested to return the license again. The company claimed that their license was suspended due to political vendetta. They want inclusion of 5G with modern technology neutral license and promise to pay the required amount after revenue collection.
Economic losses and victims:
In the letter sent to BTRC, it is mentioned that the company has faced a loss of around 4 thousand crore rupees in the last 8 years due to the shutdown of the Citycell network. Bank loan repayment crisis with loss of employees and infrastructure. Also, about 5 lakh related people have been affected.
Future steps:
Chairman of BTRC Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad ul Bari said that Citycell’s application will be reviewed and legal action will be taken…
