Sri Lanka’s Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to commence 5G spectrum auction this year
Sri Lanka’s Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) is reportedly looking at commencing the 5G spectrum auction by the end of the year.
TRC Director General, Oshada Senanayake has made this observation at an event where HUTCH for the first time had demonstrated their 5G capabilities at One Galle Face Mall recently.
HUTCH has reportedly teamed up with ZTE, a global leader in telecommunications and information technology for this 5G trial that included several demonstrations and use cases of 5G.
He has been quoted as saying in the local media that the 5G trials were conducted last year and with the 5G auction the much awaited and long overdue 5G roll out would commence towards the end of the year.
Senanayake has noted that Sri Lanka is among the top 10 countries offering lowest voice calls charges and this will further reduce next year taking Sri Lanka to the ninth position.
In addition, Sri Lanka is also ranked 30th in the Mobile Broadband connectivity network this too will reduce to 29th while ‘Number Portability’ too would be a reality this year, the Daily News has reported.
Commenting on the new milestone, HUTCH CEO, Thirukumar Nadarasa has said, “This is indeed a special moment for all of us at HUTCH. As a company that seeks to exceed the expectations of our valued customers, the new HUTCH network is 5G-ready, fostering a new era of technological transformation.”
HUTCH geared up for the 5G trial in a backdrop of having completed the Etisalat merger last year with an island wide 4G expansion which proved to be a watershed moment in HUTCH’s long cherished journey in Sri Lanka.
OSL take:
Sri Lankan authorities are committed to developing and uplifting the country’s ICT sector. Authorities are also keen on transforming Sri Lanka’s economy in to an e-economy. This has resulted in the expansion of business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors. Given Sri Lanka’s build up as a business hub in the South Asian region given its geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean and the many trade agreements as well as the trade concessions enjoyed by the country, foreign businesses/investors could explore opportunities in Sri Lanka’s ICT and digital infrastructure development sectors.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20210323/Z_3 |