LIRNEasia » licensing

Sri Lanka: Sixth GSM operator licensed?

Rohan Samarajiva — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:37:07 +0000

Board of Investment has granted approval to a sixth mobile/ 5th fixed operator.

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka granted investment approval to a new mobile (GSM) and fixed (SCDMA) telecommunications network provider. Mr. Dhammika Perera, Chairman / Director General signed the agreement on behalf of the BOI and formally presented the BOI Certificate of Registration to Mr. B.A.C. Abeywardena, Director of RTEC Mobile Lanka.

FDI, which has been successfully attracted by the BOI has played a major role in the development and modernization of Sri Lanka’s telecommunication.
RTEC Mobile Lanka (Private) Limited signed the agreement to set up and operate a mobile and fixed telecommunications network. The venture is an investment of US $ 100 million sponsored by Global Electroteks Limited, UK. The project will create 320 new employment opportunities in high technology field.

Sri Lanka: Another effective policy intervention?

Rohan Samarajiva — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:01:07 +0000

Few weeks ago I wrote a column about a surreptitious attempt to impose a draconian regulatory regime on TV, cable, satellite and mobile broadcasting. A post in this blog discussed the implications for convergence. There was also a high-profile Sinhala language op-ed that contributed to framing the ensuing debate in relation to a 1997 Supreme Court decision and the recent cancellation of a radio license (rescinded when the owners joined the government party).

Now the Supreme Court has stayed the regulation. A victory, I guess. Congratulations to the litigants, who turned back yet another assault on media freedom. But . . . the Supreme Court is dispensing a strange kind of justice these days. When decisions are to our liking I guess it’s natural not to ask how they were arrived at. But I am thinking about how to write about this fundamental issue, building on a recent column.