SC stays HC order on halting BTRC’s 4G spectrum auctioning

The Supreme Court today stayed a High Court (HC) order hours after the latter court halted the auctioning of 4G spectrum for the telecommunication industry of Bangladesh.

Chamber judge of the Appellate Division of the SC Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain came up with the stay order after a hearing on a petition filed by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) seeking stay on the HC order.

The apex court chamber judge also sent the BTRC’s petition to the full bench for its hearing on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, the HC stayed effectiveness of two circulars issued by the BTRC inviting applications for the auctioning of 4G spectrum for the telecommunication industry.

The HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zafar Ahmed passed the order following a writ petition filed by a wireless internet provider who claimed of relevant rules being flouted while publicising a circular of the BTRC.

It also sought explanation from the authorities concerned of the BTRC and the government why the circulars issued by the BTRC should not be declared illegal.

Bangla Lion Communications Ltd filed the writ claiming that BTRC issued the circular in contravention of the clauses 4.2 and 4.06(3) of broadband wireless guideline of 2008, petitioner’s lawyer Advocate Ramzan Ali told reporters.