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Tag: Citycell

  • CityCell wins back spectrum through court order

    CityCell wins back spectrum through court order

    Bangladesh’s CityCell has won a reprieve from the recent cancellation of its mobile license and revocation of its spectrum.

    The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission had decided late on Monday to cancel CityCell’s license due to non-payment of fees.

    But after petitioning the Supreme Court, CityCell has managed to receive a court order temporarily suspending the license cancellation while a dispute over the outstanding fees is before the courts.

    CityCell’s service was suspended on non-payment grounds in October. The block was later lifted although the operator was not able to resume operations.

    At the time of the block the company had around 125,000 customers. The government was meanwhile demanding 4.77 billion taka ($58.6 million) in unpaid fees.

    The report cites an unnamed senior CityCell executive as stating that management is seeking to sell off the company to a foreign buyer, and believes that restoration of its spectrum rights will aid negotiations.

    As of 2015, CityCell was 44.5% owned by Singtel, 37.9% owned by Pacific Motors and 17.5% owned by Far East Telecom.

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  • Bangladesh’s CityCell has spectrum reinstated

    Bangladesh’s CityCell has spectrum reinstated

    Cash-strapped Bangladeshi operator CityCell has resumed operations after having its spectrum temporarily reinstated by a Supreme Court ruling.

    The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) revoked CityCell’s spectrum last month for failing to pay its spectrum renewal, license and associated fees.

    But the court has asked the government to restore CityCell’s spectrum and allow it to continue operations for the time being.

    If CityCell fails to pay 1 billion taka ($12.7 million) to BTRC by November 19, the regulator will have the authority to revoke the spectrum again, the court order states.

    CityCell has been operating since 1993 but has a low market share and revenue base. The company earned just 1.39 billion taka in revenue during the 2014-15 financial year. The BTRC has calculated that CityCell owes 4.77 billion taka in unpaid fees.

    The operator is 44.5% owned by Singtel, 37.9% owned by Pacific Motors and 17.5% owned by Far East Telecom.

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  • Bangladesh’s oldest cellco set to lose license

    Bangladesh’s oldest cellco set to lose license

    Bangladesh’s oldest mobile operator Citycell is on track to losing its license after failing to pay its required license and related fees.

    The CDMA-based Citycell had its spectrum revoked last week, and now the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is seeking permission from the government to revoke the operator’s license.

    Citycell owes dues of 4.77 billion taka ($60.8 million), which include unpaid spectrum renewal fees, license fees, late fees and value-added tax.

    The Supreme Court had ordered Citycell to pay two thirds of the amount owed by October 19, but the operator only managed to pay 1.3 billion taka, and its spectrum was accordingly revoked the next day.

    The BTRC has been advising Citycell customers since the end of July to switch to another operator in preparation for the shutdown.

    Citycell commenced operations in 1993, but found itself relegated to a niche player as GSM outmatched CDMA by popularity. At its peak in 2011 the operator had around 1.9 million customers.

    Singtel is the largest shareholder in Citycell with a 44.54% share, while Far East Telecom has 17.51% of the company. These shareholders have been attempting to sell Citycell’s license for several years but have not found any buyers.

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