Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is facing an audit objection for failing to collect Tk4.37 billionin outstanding dues from mobile network operator Banglalink, an unit of Dutch telecom giant Veon.

Despite repeated demands, the regulator has not succeeded in recovering the amount. The Department of Posts, Telecommunications, Science, Information and Technology Audit raised the objection in its audit for the 2023–24 fiscal year, a highly placed source confirmed to the Mirror Asia.

According to the audit, the total dues claimed from Banglalink amount to Tk8.23 billion of which Tk8.11 billion is payable to BTRC.

The principal amount currently stands at Tk3.8 billion, with the remainder comprising late fees and interest. Banglalink has already cleared the full principal. The company has sought a waiver of the late fees and now has one month to pay the outstanding amount.

On this issue, BTRC stated that current laws, including the Telecommunications Act, do not provide a clear provision for waiving late fees. However, the government may consider Banglalink’s application for a waiver after reviewing it on special grounds.

“As a compliant operator, Banglalink remains committed to adhering to all regulatory directives. We always appreciate the continued support of BTRC in facilitating a constructive regulatory environment," Gazi Towhid Ahmed, head of Corporate Communications at Banglalink, said in a statement on Sunday.