TSS to produce mobile set

http://www.newagebd.com/2009/dec/21/busi.html#7

TSS to produce mobile set
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka

The government has taken an initiative to produce mobile phone sets in the country in view of the phenomenal rise in the number of mobile phone users which may hit 80 million in next two years.

Telephone Shilpa Sangstha under the post and telecommunications ministry has taken the move, ministry secretary Sunil Kanti Bose told the news agency on Sunday.

He said the initiative has mainly come from post and telecommunications minister Raziuddin Ahmed, who wanted to rejuvenate the TSS.

Sunil said the TSS has not produced anything since last 12 years despite having 525 people on the pay roll. The last caretaker government reduced the manpower to 260 and let go of unnecessary people.

He said the TSS is now producing land phone sets, besides having set up 200 network towers for TeleTalk mobile under the public sector. He said the government wants to further expand its activities and has taken up producing digital meters, mobile charger, laptop and such other gears.

The minister told the agency that he had taken steps to use TSS and other agencies under the ministry to developing digital gears and appliances to create a new digital Bangladesh.

The ministry has taken short, medium and long-term projects accordingly, he said mentioning the plan to produce mobile phones, laptops and other telecommunication gears.

TSS secretary Osman Ghani Sheikh said these mobile sets would be produced using local technology. TSS is initially planning to produce four lakh mobile sets annually. Such mobile sets may sell at Tk 2000 in the market. These will also allow the use of double sim and other communication gears.

The post and telecommunication minister said TSS has been asked to produce laptops for students which they may buy at Tk 10 to 12 thousand.

Sunil said the government wants to enter into joint venture with foreign firms to produce mobile phones locally and international tenders have already been invited to this effect.

He said multinational companies like Goldcom China, ZT, Erickson and China Electric Co have so far showed interest to enter into joint venture following the government tender.