Vodafone, the mobile giant from UK is interested to invest in Bangladesh. There was an ongoing talk about Vodafone’s movement from November last year. But the recent visit of Gavin Darby, the CEO of Vodafone Asia, Africa, China and India in Bangladesh made a lot of news about Vodafone’s footage in Bangladeshi market.
Bangladesh is a land of opportunity yet for the mobile operators. Because so far total subscriber base is 34.37 Million (as per the record from Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission) at the end of December 2007 which means 58% growth in 2007 was achieved. But even though the country’s cellular penetration is 21% which includes land phones also. Of course Vodafone is correct in their decision of investing in Bangladesh. If we consider that maximum 50% of the population can be penetrated as cellular subscribers then also there remains the possibility to gain around 30% to be filled up where Vodafone can play in their own style to achieve the market share.
So whom are they targeting? Or they are going to get a new license? From when they are going to start? Nothing is so far clear. But as per the news media they are going to sit with the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to expose their business plan to enter into Bangladeshi market. Already they sat with the aide to Chief Advisor Mr. M.A Malek along with the British ambassador to Dhaka Mr. Anwar Chowdhury. But already there are six mobile operators are here in Bangladeshi market. As per the research any mature market cannot host more than four operators. Bangladeshi market is not mature yet. Hopefully that’s why six operators are sustaining. But to look at the future we are already overflowed.
Latest news says that, In the yesterday’s meeting with BTRC the Vodafone Group shown interest in buying the 30% stake of AKTEL. The company is 70 percent owned by Telekom Malaysia and 30 percent owned by A.K. Khan and Co. It is not clear yet is it the 30% from the A.K. Khan side or from the TM side.
But anyway everyone is expecting Vodafone in Bangladeshi market. Because of course they have a global brand image. And it will be nice to see them here. But time will say what is going to happen.
