Ollo to resell telecom equipment to Russia

WiMax operator Ollo will export around 4,000 pieces of used subscriber equipment terminals to Russia that they bought from China six years ago.

A renowned internet service provider in Russia will import these terminals to be used in areas near an airport where the 2100, 2700 and 900 band spectrums are restricted, said Igor Grakovich, chief executive officer of Ollo.

Only the 3500 band is allowed to operate there.

“Some other equipment will also be exported as scrap. We are waiting for the telecom regulator's no-objection certificate,” said Grakovich.

Ollo applied to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission for approval to export used equipment, which the regulator in a recent meeting has approved, according to a BTRC official.

This may be the first official export of used telecom equipment from Bangladesh, said industry insiders.

Grakovich said they are adopting the fastest data network across Bangladesh and exporting the outdated equipment as part of an effort to replace the WiMax equipment.

However, Ollo did not mention the export prices of the equipment. Ollo, the first LTE operator of the country, launched its LTE operation in 14 areas across the country.

Replacing the outdated equipment, Ollo is also going to import dual-band equipment for use with the 800 and 2600 bands, which will give better internet speed and coverage.

There are some regulatory issues that need to be addressed, after which, it will start LTE operations in Dhaka -- from Uttara to Dhanmondi, said Grakovich.

Ollo is also building sites for the access to information programme under the Prime Minister's Office and Dhaka North City Corporation.

Two internet service providers in Bangladesh -- Internet Exchange Ltd or BIEL and New Generation Graphics Ltd or NGGL -- jointly launched the Ollo brand in 2010.

Later in 2013, BIEL and NGGL merged and was named BIEL. The merged company got additional spectrum in the 2600 band and the LTE licence at that time.