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.
Corporate
International Seminar at Peking University Explores the Contemporary Relevance of Edgar Snow’s Legacy
An international seminar titled “The Contemporary Value of Edgar Snow’s Spirit” was held at Peking University on Tuesday (July 8), bringing together scholars, journalists, researchers and young representatives from around the world to examine the enduring legacy of renowned American journalist Edgar Snow and his role in fostering greater understanding between China and the international community.
Jointly hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Peking University, and organized by the Xinhua Institute, the seminar marked the conclusion of a six-day research and study tour conducted from July 2 to 7, retracing Snow’s historic journey through Shaanxi Province and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
During the field program, participants followed the route taken by Edgar Snow during his landmark reporting in northern Shaanxi, gaining firsthand insight into the locations that inspired his influential book, Red Star Over China. Organizers said the journey offered international delegates a deeper understanding of China’s revolutionary history, development path and the values that continue to shape the country’s modernization.
The delegation visited several key revolutionary sites, including Yan’an and Zhidan County, where they toured museums, memorial halls and former headquarters associated with the Chinese Red Army. They also explored the former site of the Counter-Japanese Military and Political University, the Bao’an Revolution Site Memorial Museum, and memorials commemorating the Red Army’s arrival in northern Shaanxi. Guided tours and historical exhibitions highlighted the hardships, determination and ideals of China’s revolutionary period.
As part of the program, participants attended the themed sharing session “Retracing Snow’s Route,” where scholars and guests discussed the lasting influence of Edgar Snow’s reporting on global perceptions of China. Delegates also watched the immersive theatrical production “Thirteen Years in Yan’an,” which vividly portrayed the revolutionary era through contemporary storytelling.
The itinerary extended beyond revolutionary history to showcase China’s progress in ecological conservation and sustainable development. In Zhongwei and other locations in Ningxia, participants learned about environmental protection initiatives along the Yellow River, the achievements of the Three-North Shelter Forest Program, and China’s efforts to balance ecological preservation with economic growth. Organizers noted that these visits demonstrated how former revolutionary regions have evolved into examples of green development and rural revitalization.
The delegation also traveled to Tongxin County, visiting the Red Army Westward Expedition Memorial Hall and other significant historical sites. Participants joined the Red Tongxin Forum, where they exchanged views with scholars and local representatives on the historical significance of the Long March, Edgar Snow’s reporting and the importance of preserving revolutionary heritage for future generations.
Addressing the seminar, speakers emphasized that Edgar Snow’s commitment to truth, objective journalism and cross-cultural communication continues to inspire journalists, academics and young people worldwide. They noted that his work presented a more authentic picture of China to the international community and helped build a foundation for mutual understanding between China and other countries.
International delegates said retracing Snow’s historic journey allowed them to gain a deeper appreciation of China’s history, culture and development beyond what could be learned through books or media reports. They described the experience as an opportunity to engage directly with historical sites, scholars and local communities.
According to the organizers, the initiative aims to strengthen international exchanges by encouraging firsthand engagement with China’s history, culture and development. By retracing Edgar Snow’s footsteps and promoting dialogue among scholars, journalists and youth from different countries, the program seeks to carry forward the values of truth, friendship and mutual respect that defined Edgar Snow’s legacy.
The event brought together approximately 200 representatives, including members of the Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation, Snow’s family members, experts, scholars and Generation Z youth from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Egypt, Armenia and several other countries.
The Rotary Club of Sonargaon Dhaka has elected its new Board of Directors for the Rotary Year 2026–2027. Prominent banker Mohammad Sahin Uddin has been elected as President of the Club.
The newly elected 17-member Board also includes Shahidul Alam as General Secretary and Abu Shaheen as Treasurer. The Board will lead the Club and oversee its activities for the next one year.
Mohammad Sahin Uddin is a distinguished banking professional with extensive experience in the financial sector. He is actively involved in several professional and social organizations and currently serves as an Executive Committee Member of the Bankers’ Club, the Accounting Alumni Association, University of Dhaka, the Bankers’ Welfare Association, and several other organizations.
Expressing his gratitude to the members for their confidence and support, Mohammad Sahin Uddin said that he is committed to upholding Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” by strengthening the Club’s humanitarian initiatives in the areas of education, healthcare, community development, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment. He emphasized that, with the active cooperation of all members, the Club will continue to make a meaningful and lasting impact on society.
The newly elected Board reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the Club’s proud legacy while expanding its community service initiatives and promoting the ideals and values of Rotary through impactful projects over the coming year.
Journalists and media professionals have participated in a six-day international media tour in China’s southern island province of Hainan, offering participants a first-hand look at the province’s rapid transformation into a global tourism destination, a high-standard free trade port, and a model of green and sustainable development.
The international media exchange program, titled “Why China: Walking in Lingshui,” was held from June 21 to 26 with the aim of introducing Hainan’s development achievements to a global audience through the perspectives of international journalists, editors, communication experts, and digital media creators.
Rather than focusing solely on Hainan’s picturesque beaches and tropical landscapes, the program highlighted the province’s progress in free-trade-port development, ecological conservation, cultural preservation, technological innovation, medical tourism, international education, and rural revitalisation.
The event was jointly hosted by the Hainan Provincial International Cultural Exchange Center and the People’s Government of Lingshui Li Autonomous County. It was jointly organised by the Hainan Branch of China News Service (Beijing) International Communication Group Co., Ltd., and the Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports Bureau of Lingshui Li Autonomous County.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, organisers noted that although many people around the world still associate Hainan primarily with beaches and tropical tourism, the island has become one of China’s most important platforms for high-level reform and opening up. They said the program was designed to allow international media representatives to witness these developments first-hand and share authentic stories about Hainan with audiences worldwide.
One of the highlights of the tour was Lingshui Li Autonomous County, located on the South China Sea coast. Widely regarded as one of Hainan’s fastest-growing coastal regions, Lingshui combines stunning natural scenery with rich ethnic heritage while emerging as a center for tourism, international education, digital technology, and the marine economy.
During the six-day program, participants visited a number of key destinations, including Boundary Island Scenic Area, Diaoluoshan National Forest Park, Haifeng International Film and Television Base, the Li’an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone, Hainan Ocean Paradise, Shuang Fanshi Marine Sports Center, the Former Site of the Qiongya Soviet Government, the Danjia Museum, Nanwan Monkey Island, Tropical Forest Expo Park, and Qiling Characteristic Village.
The delegation observed Lingshui’s pristine ecological environment, experienced the unique traditions of the Danjia fishing community, explored sites of revolutionary history, and learned about local initiatives in environmental conservation, rural revitalisation, international education, digital film and television production, coastal leisure tourism, and marine sports.
Many participating journalists said the visit had changed their perception of Hainan. They noted that beyond its reputation as a tourist destination, the province has developed into a dynamic center for free trade, technological innovation, education, healthcare, and ecological protection.
Several participants also commented that Hainan’s integrated approach—combining economic development with environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and innovation—could serve as a valuable reference for many developing countries.
The program brought together journalists, editors, communication specialists, overseas Chinese-language media representatives, and international bloggers from 12 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and South America, including Bangladesh.
For Bangladesh, the experience carries particular significance as bilateral cooperation with China continues to expand in trade, investment, tourism, education, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges. Participants observed that Hainan’s Free Trade Port could offer new opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses, students, tourists, and investors in the years ahead.
Once known primarily for its tropical beaches, Hainan is now positioning itself as a global hub for innovation, education, healthcare, sustainable development, and international cooperation. Through initiatives such as the “Why China: Walking in Lingshui” media tour, the province hopes to strengthen international understanding of its development model while sharing the story of China’s high-quality opening-up with the world.
