Grameenphone fined for illegal tower deployment in border areas

Bangladeshi telecom regulator BTRC has fined mobile operator Grameenphone BDT 26.7 million for deploying mobile phone towers in border areas without the watchdog’s approval, The Daily Star repots. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) claims Grameenphone deployed 17 towers within three kilometres of the zero line between January 2014 and December 2016. “We are very clear in this position and there will be no way to evade the fine,” said a commissioner who attended the meeting. The fine is based on the estimated earnings from the towers, the commissioner added. 

“We are not aware of such a decision by the BTRC and so we can't comment further at this point in time”, Grameenphone said. Back in August 2016, the BTRC fined Banglalink BDT 173 million for installing 109 towers in border areas without authorization. Grameenphone is yet to pay the fine and has applied to the regulator for a waiver.