Corporate
Citycell says its licence was cancelled illegally, it wants it back
Pacific Bangladesh Telecom, the first mobile phone operator in the country, seeks to relaunch Citycell.
The company has recently applied to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to reclaim its licence and spectrum.
In 2016, the BTRC shut down Citycell’s operations on the grounds of a decline in subscribers and failure to pay outstanding dues. Later, in October 2023, the regulatory body officially cancelled Citycell’s licence and spectrum. At the time of its closure, Citycell, the country’s only CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology operator, had around 15,000 subscribers.
However, in its recent review application letter, Pacific Bangladesh Telecom stated that BTRC’s order to cancel Citycell’s licence was illegal.
Pacific Bangladesh Telecom in the application, signed by its head of regulatory and corporate affairs Nishat Ali Khan, argued that Citycell was excluded from various technological upgrades, including spectrum allocation, due to political decisions by the then government.
Despite paying all fees, new claims of outstanding dues were raised unjustifiably, it said. Ultimately, the operation was shut down citing a decrease in subscribers, even though Citycell had an annual turnover of over Tk200 crore before the closure, said the company.
Nishat told the news reporter that they plan to return to court, deeming BTRC’s cancellation of Citycell’s licence illegal while the case concerning outstanding dues is still ongoing in court.
“We have applied to the BTRC to get the licence back, and we will also appeal to the court in the future,” he said.
In the letter, Pacific Bangladesh Telecom stated that at the time of Citycell’s shutdown, the company held 8.82 GB of spectrum and had 850 towers. The closure left 1,000 employees unemployed overnight.
It also claimed to have fully paid all types of fees, including VAT and taxes. As a result of the shutdown, the company said it incurred debts amounting to Tk4,000 crore. If Citycell had remained operational, it could have generated at least Tk2,000 crore in revenue during the period until now.
The letter mentioned that BTRC’s claim of Tk218 crore in outstanding dues, which led to the cancellation of Citycell’s licence, was incorrect. The company argued that although the BTRC demanded the amount for 10 GB of spectrum, Citycell was actually allocated 8.5 GB of spectrum. Therefore, the claim lacked justification, it said, adding that the matter of outstanding dues was already being contested in court.
When asked why it did not approach the court at the time against BTRC’s decision, Nishat said, “The cancellation of Citycell’s licence was a political decision by the government. The court would not have ruled against the government’s decision. That’s why we did not file a petition in court back then.”
When asked whether it would be possible to relaunch Citycell with its significant debt if BTRC reinstated the licence, Nishat responded that despite the shutdown, the company has not defaulted on any bank loans.
Citycell eyes transition to GSM technology
He further said that if the licence is restored, the owners are prepared to transition Citycell from CDMA to GSM technology to resume operations.
Asked by the news reporter, Aminul Haque, acting chairman of the BTRC, declined to comment on the receipt of the letter or the matter of returning the licence.
On 9 September 2022, all spectrum allocated to Citycell and the Radio Communication Equipment Licence was cancelled on 7 August of the same year. Subsequently, on 15 September 2023, the BTRC cancelled Citycell’s 2G service licence.
According to officials concerned, during the tenure of President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Citycell was granted a licence in 1989. The service was launched jointly by Hong Kong-based Hutchison and Bangladesh Telecom Limited. They used analogue mobile technology. The mobile service was highly expensive and not accessible to the general public.
When the BNP came to power, in 1993, the domestic industrial group Pacific Motors and Far East Telecom acquired a 55% stake in Citycell. Of the stake, Pacific Motors held 37.95% and Far East Telecom held 17.51%. The remaining 44.54% of the shares were owned by Singtel, a Singapore-based telecommunications provider. The head of Pacific Motors is former foreign minister and BNP leader M Morshed Khan.
Before Grameenphone acquired its licence in November 1996, Citycell was the sole mobile operator in the country.
The new Executive Committee of Wikimedia Bangladesh, the officially recognized local chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation, has been elected for the 2026–27 term. A 9-member Executive Committee was formed through a vote by members during the organization’s Annual General Meeting on January 17. Subsequently, the new leadership of the organization was determined during the committee’s first meeting on February 8.
In this committee, Tanvir Rahman has been elected as President, Md. Delwar Hossain as Secretary, and Shakil Hosen as Treasurer. The other members of the Executive Committee are Moheen Reeyad, Shabab Mustafa, Subrata Roy, Dolon Prova, Mayeenul Islam, and Tanbin Islam Siyam.
Founded by Wikipedians in Bangladesh, this organization was recognized as the 39th chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation on October 3, 2011. Later, on June 9, 2014, it was registered as a non-profit foundation in Bangladesh under the Societies Registration Act.
Wikimedia Bangladesh believes in the vision of a world where every human being can share in the sum of all human knowledge. Considering the right to education and knowledge as a human right, this organization works toward the creation, collection, and dissemination of open knowledge at all levels of society. Although the content of Wikipedia and other Wiki projects is created by volunteers, the organization’s goal is to encourage this unique community in digital volunteering and support them in achieving their objectives.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) Dhaka West has announced its new New Leadership Team for the year 2026, with Subah Afrin elected as Local President and Md Tanvir Hasan as Secretary General.
The executive committee was formed during the General Assembly of JCI Dhaka West, held on Tuesday (December 23) in Gulshan, Dhaka.
The newly announced board includes Sujaur Rahman Emon as Immediate Past Local President, Md Saddam Hossain and Audrika Eshna Purbasha as Executive Vice Presidents, Md Sameen Rahman as Vice President, Masud as Treasurer, and Ibrahim Khalil Foysal as General Legal Counsel.
Other office bearers include Ahmed Wazedul Haque Khan as Training Commissioner, Asia Binta Amanat Sumi as PR and Media Chairperson, Jobayer Ahmed Sakib as Digital Committee Chairperson, Md Tanvir Hossain as International Affairs Chairperson. The committee also includes Directors Abdur Rahman Khan Bappy, Tanvir Sohan, Yasir Shahriar and Ahnaf Ahmed. Committee Chairs appointed for 2026 are Sheikh Mahmuda Sultana Sara, Minhatul Jannat, Rayan Islam Sardar and S M Shafiul Alam Sakib.
The election process was conducted under the supervision of SM Belal Uddin, National Vice President of JCI Bangladesh and 2024 Local President of JCI Dhaka West, who served as the Election Commissioner.
The event was attended by Arefeen Raafi Ahmed, newly elected 2026 National President of JCI Bangladesh, Kazi Fahad 2025 National President, along with members of the National Board and several Local Presidents from different chapters.
JCI is a global organization of young active citizens aged 18 to 40, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Operating in more than 120 countries with over 200,000 members worldwide, JCI focuses on developing leadership, skills and civic responsibility among young people. In Bangladesh, JCI has over 40 Local Organizations, among which JCI Dhaka West is one of the oldest and largest chapters.
Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, China: A diverse delegation of international experts, journalists, and social media influencers concluded a captivating week-long exploration of China’s Yunnan province. The immersive tour, jointly organized by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and China Daily, showcased the region’s rich tapestry of ethnic culture, historical heritage, volcanic wonders, and serene landscapes.
The journey provided participants from various countries, including Bangladesh, with a first-hand experience of Yunnan’s multifaceted appeal, blending rural revitalization stories with natural splendors.
The expedition began in the captivating Shimao Village, where the group delved into the narrative of the village’s remarkable transformation. Attendees immersed themselves in the unique cultural heritage and daily life of the Wa people, gaining insights into the community’s traditions and their harmonious development within modern China.
The itinerary then led to the volcanic region of Tengchong. At the Tengchong Hot Sea, participants experienced renowned geothermal wellness at the Beauty Pool Hot Spring Hotel, where they relaxed in the mineral-rich waters. The geological wonders continued at the Tengchong Volcano and Geothermal National Geological Park. Here, the delegation witnessed majestic volcanic landscapes, with some taking to the skies in hot-air balloons for panoramic views and others hiking up the iconic Little Sky Mountain for a closer look at the ancient craters.
Seeking autumnal tranquility, the group visited the picturesque Ginkgo Village, where they enjoyed the stunning golden scenery of ancient ginkgo trees, a spectacle that highlights Yunnan’s seasonal beauty and idyllic rural charm.
The cultural and historical depth of the region was further unveiled in Heshun Ancient Town. The delegation visited the century-old Heshun Library and the revered Wenchang Palace, symbols of the town’s deep-rooted scholarly tradition. A tour of the former residence of Ai Siqi, a prominent Marxist philosopher, added a layer of modern historical significance to the visit.
The international delegates, armed with cameras, notebooks, and social media platforms, documented their experiences extensively. They expressed particular admiration for the seamless integration of cultural preservation, ecological conservation, and community development they witnessed.
“This tour was an eye-opener,” remarked Nuruzzaman Kafi, a social media influencer from Bangladesh. “From the vibrant culture of the Wa people to the breathtaking power of the volcanoes and the profound historical atmosphere of Heshun, Yunnan offers a truly layered and unforgettable experience. It’s a powerful story of natural and cultural heritage being cherished and shared.”
Officials from the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism stated that such exchanges are vital for fostering international understanding and showcasing Yunnan’s role as a key destination for sustainable and cultural tourism. They believe the delegates’ firsthand accounts and wide-reaching influence will help a global audience discover the unique charms of “Colorful Yunnan.”
The successful tour is expected to generate positive international media coverage and digital content, further elevating Yunnan’s profile as a premier travel destination that celebrates diversity, history, and natural beauty.
