Robi Axiata has questioned the timing of Bangladesh’s planned 700MHz spectrum auction, arguing that proceeding before the national election could deter investment amid political uncertainty. Speaking to the media on December 18, Robi CEO Ziad Shatara said the country is currently in a transitional phase following major political changes, making it an unfavourable environment for large financial commitments.
Shatara noted that the proposed January auction would require operators to make substantial investment decisions at a time when investors typically prefer clarity and regulatory stability. He said uncertainty around the political landscape has encouraged a more cautious investment approach, adding that conditions could improve after the election if it results in a stable, long-term government.
Despite the concerns, Shatara reaffirmed Robi’s commitment to the market, highlighting that the company invested Tk2,000 crore this year to improve service quality for customers. However, he stressed that future investments depend heavily on predictable and consistent regulatory policies.
Robi Axiata’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Sahed Alam, also raised regulatory issues, stating that recent changes to telecom licensing rules were made without proper review of the 2018 guidelines. He said operators are now required to allocate nearly one-third of their annual expenditure to technology development, increasing operational pressure.
Alam added that overlapping and frequently changing policies have created uncertainty and slowed investment decisions. He also pointed to the restriction limiting foreign ownership to a maximum of 85 percent, warning that it could further heighten investment risk in Bangladesh’s telecom sector.
