80% of Aamra Technologies bandwidth blocked

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has blocked 80 percent bandwidth of aamra technologies because of non-payment of outstanding revenue of over Tk22.5 crore.

Aamra technologies that supplies bandwidth to different clients, including Grameenphone, Robi Axiata and Banglalink, faced this restriction for the second time in last six months.

Earlier on July 18, the regulator issued a letter directing the International Terrestrial Cable to cap bandwidth supply to aamra technologies to 50 percent. Later, the BTRC withdrew the directive as the international internet gateway (IIG) operator has cleared the dues.

The company owes a Tk22 crore 64 lalh and 66 thousand to the government. However, they were not able to pay this debt properly.

In such situation, the BTRC blocked 80 percent of their bandwidth a month ago (December 14, 2023) for non-payment. After that aamra applied for block withdrawal asking for 36 monthly installments without late fee to pay this due.

The BTRC has written to aamra this week saying that if a down payment of Tk 10 crore is given, they would get an opportunity of block withdrawal.

The remaining Tk12 crore 64 lakh have to be paid in 18 installments. This installment is to be paid on the 20th of every month, the BTRC put conditions.

Apart from this, the company has to pay regular installments along with annual license fee and revenue sharing from the last quarter of 2023 and there is no possibility of waiver of late fee.

And if any installments, current revenue sharing and license fee cannot be paid on time then 100% bandwidth will be blocked.

BTRC Commissioner (Finance, Accounts and Revenue) Musfiq Mannan Chowdhury told Views Bangladesh: 'Aamra Technologies has failed to pay government dues. They have not been paying the big amount owed for a long time. According to their application, installment facility has also been given. In the beginning, aamra have to pay a certain amount of money as down payment, then the bandwidth block will be removed."

"If they fail to pay this down payment and installments, then 100% bandwidth will be blocked," he added.