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Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) asked Banglalink, one of the largest mobile network operators in the country, to pay an audit claim of Tk 8.23 billion within 10 days.
The country's telecom regulator sent a letter to the operator in this regard on Sunday.
BTRC's audit objection to Banglalink includes Tk 4.30 billion late fees, Tk 2.34 billion VAT and other fees, and Tk 1.59 billion revenue sharing, handset royalty, access frequency payment, microwave frequency payment and licence fee.
BTRC accepted the final report on the audit objection claim of Tk 8.23 billion
in May from the auditor. After scrutiny, it sought the amount from the operator.
Banglalink's Chief Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Officer Taimur Rahman told The Financial Express that Banglalink, being a compliant company, always strives to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations of the country.
He said Banglalink welcomed the audit initiative of BTRC and provided full cooperation and support to ensure a proper audit.
“Though we have differences of opinion regarding the findings, we believe that through constructive discussion with BTRC, we will reach a fair resolution.”
However, the operator sought a two-week extension for the payment deadline.
The auditor, a joint venture of M/s Masih Muhith Haque & Co and ANB Solutions, audited the operator for the period of 1996 to 2019.
The audit took 21 months to complete its report. The appointment of the auditor was ordered on August 26, 2021. According to the agreement with BTRC, this audit was supposed to be completed by February 23, 2022. However, the time was extended four times until April 2023.
BTRC had to pay Tk 87.77 million to Masih Muhith Haque and Company for this audit of Banglalink.