Bangladesh needs plan to introduce 3G mobile tech

FE Report


Bangladesh needs plan, to join the revolution of information and communication technology (ICT), for introducing third generation (3G) mobile technology in the country. The implementation of the 3G, besides reducing the cost of doing business, can help develop the entire scenario of the rural economy for more growth of GDP. "The 3G mobile technologies are capable of transferring voice, data and video to subscribers' mobile sets at a lower cost than 2G mobile technologies," Karl-Henrick Sundstron, executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) of Ericsson told journalists at a press conference. He further said they were working with the BTRC to provide broadband connectivity for 3G trials in rural Bangladesh.

Arun Banshal, managing director, Taimur Rahman, director for strategy and marketing, Mustak Hossain, head of media relations and regulatory affairs, of LM Ericsson Bangladesh Ltd, were present among others at the press conference at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the city Thursday. Ericsson, a leading Swedish telecom equipment and services company will continue to support the country's information and communication technology (ICT) with its cutting edge technology. "We are committed to continue our support to the mobile operators of Bangladesh for developing skills in telecommunications by bringing cutting edge technology, Karl-Henrick Sundstron. Ericsson, which has over 40 per cent global market share in GSM technology, thinks that the timely initiative of the regulatory body in the country can help introducing cost effective technology. Sundstron, however, stressed the need for a new mindset to face the challenges that hurdle the proper utilization of the mobile technology, which is currently largely voice centric.


Answering a question, Sundstron said Bangladesh, during the first quarter of the current year, has become one of its top ten markets. In Feb 2006, Ericsson announced the establishment of a full-fledged company in Bangladesh, reaffirming its long-term commitment towards the development of the country and the growth of its telecommunications sector. The company has so far employed 870 mostly locally recruited persons in its Bangladesh office, he said adding that about 3500 people are indirectly involved with the company. Referring to the corporate social responsibility (CSR), Sundstron said: "Ericsson extended cooperation to the flood victims and our support for skill development of the Bangladeshis in the latest technology will continue. Leading mobile and telephone operators of the country including GrameenPhone, AKTEL, BTTB and Warid Telecom have awarded Ericsson the prime integrator contract to plan, design and integrate an in-building solution. Besides, Telenor, the parent company of Grameenphone (GP), has awarded a contract to Ericsson to expand its GSM/EDGE network and upgrade it.


Good. Very good.

Ericsson dance like an Egyptian

Ericsson has staged a comeback to Banglalink with its suite of base transceiver stations (BTS) and base station controller (BSC). The Swedish vendor was swapped by Siemens and Huawei when Egypt’s Orascom Telecom that owns Banglalink took over Sheba Telecom in September 2004. Three years later, Ericsson has taken partial revenge by displacing Huawei’s radio access equipment from Banglalink’s network in Dhaka and its environs that generate nearly 70 percent revenue. "Ericsson will replace Huawei’s 250 units of BTS and four units of BSC to increase our capacity and quality," Banglalink’s chief technical officer Marius Armeanca told bdnews24.com Monday. He would not disclose the value of the deal, though. But it does not mean Huawei’s equipment are below par, nor have they been swapped, Armeanca stressed. Banglalink will use the displaced Chinese gears in other parts of its network.

Banglalink has been struggling with poor quality and capacity constraints to cope with exploding clientele. Siemens apparently have had the increased call traffic covered, Huawei did not. Siemens however could not tap this opportunity as its Dhaka office was busy with corporate fortification before merger with Nokia. Ericsson executives sitting on the fence promptly scrambled in Orascom’s Cairo headquarters. Its profile of being Grameenphone and Warid Telecom’s sole core network supplier as well as Aktel’s major vendor along with the largest contingent of local workforce probably impressed the Egyptians. It became more apparent when Orascom chief executive Naguib Sawiris expressed traditional Arabic gesture of friendship by embracing and kissing Ericsson CEO Carl-Henric Svanberg at a dinner in 3GSM World Congress at Barcelona last February. Banglalink’s Rashid Khan was the only chief executive not to be an Ericsson client to have met Svanberg during his brief daylong visit in Dhaka late April. It added fuel to speculations of a brewing deal although the parties were tight-lipped. Finally last Tuesday, Ericsson broke the news of striking its very first deal with Orascom through Banglalink. "This will ensure that the network gains the right technological building blocks as it moves in to the future," Rashid Khan said in a statement. Orascom took over Sheba and re-branded it as Banglalink in September 2004 with a mere 25,000 customers in seven years of business. Sheba put no effort to expand the network it bought from Ericsson as the operator’s shareholders were locked in a prolonged legal battle. Ericsson saw its hardware being taken off from incumbent customer by smaller and obscure rivals. Three years later it made a re-entry to the "Tiger’s Den" (Banglalink headquarters) with BTS and BSC. "We have the largest portfolio of products and services for Banglalink," Ericsson Bangladesh managing director Arun Bansal told bdnews24.com. "It is the customer’s prerogative to choose and time will answer what it picks." Those who know Bansal would not take his casual statement so casually.

Ericsson signs deal with Windmill

Ericsson Bangladesh has signed an agreement with Windmill Advertising Ltd for the latter's communication and creative support.Under the deal, Windmill Advertising Ltd will be Ericsson's agency for all communication activities. Windmill is already carrying out the 'pothe pothe' campaign of GrameenPhone, it seems their prior experience in working with telecom movers and shakers is paying them off real good. Well done Windmill.