This article examines the role of regulation, competition and market structure on the success of mobile phone sector liberalization. The findings of the study suggest that deregulation of the telecommunications sector has generated competition and changed the market structure which has had a significant influence on mobile phone service pricing. However, limited liberalization, a concentrated market and a weak regulatory regime during 1997—2004 allowed mobile phone firms to keep mobile tariffs high. Since 2005, full liberalization of the mobile phone sector including the launching of a mobile phone service by a state-owned mobile firm and a strong rival as well as the emergence of an effective regulator brought stiff competition in the sector.

Oxidative degradation of Brilliant Red X–3B has been carried out using Fenton’s reagent both in the dark and in the presence of visible light. The degradation rate was increased using Fenton’s process in the order of Dark < Visible < UV. At pH 3.3, the maximum Fenton and photo-Fenton effect were noticed. At [H2O2]/[Fe(III)] = 3.5, a steady Fenton effect was observed. Meanwhile, at [H2O2]/[Fe(III)] = 0.7, Fenton process in the dark minimized the photo effect. The degradation rate was positively influenced by the temperature where the activation energy of degradation was evaluated as 36.98 kJ mol-1.

Removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from raw biogas is essential for feeding the refined gas with high methane (CH4) content in engines and combustion units. In small-scale farmhouses and power plants, a cheap, inexpensive, and facile desulfurization process is needed. Herein, the desulfurization process of biogas by treating with Fe2O3 and nanoscaled Ferrosoferric oxide (FeF) suspension is presented. The treatment process includes both the chemical reaction and physical adsorption phenomena. With variable pH and treatment duration, efficient desulfurization of the biogas was achieved. The optimum pH for H2S removal was 5 at which the removal efficiency was 97% for Fe2O3 solution and 95% for FeF solution. Respectively, CH4 content increased above 75%. The H2S-concentration dropped by 50 ppm from the initial value. The H2S content in the purified gas is thus reduced below the recommended limit for running internal combustion engines. We suggest some physicochemical elimination of the H2S fraction. The process might be feasible to utilize in small farmhouses and power units.

The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) requires adoption of a minimum patent standard for all countries. It is often argued by developing countries that the introduction of a uniform (and minimum) patent standard for all countries irrespective of their level of development would prevent people from access to medicines. Moreover, in developing countries, the drug expenses are being paid out of pockets by the patients unlike developed countries where insurance companies bear the burden. In this regard an empirical study was conducted on pharmaceutical stakeholders consisting of leading pharmaceutical companies, drug administration of Bangladesh (the regulatory authority), leading experts on industrial pharmacy, academics and leaders of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries. The study finds that price of medicines will go up and access to health will be denied once Bangladesh enters the patent regime. The perceived impact on the industry however is mixed. The paper concludes with some policy considerations that the government and the industry should consider to ensuring that the patients have access to medicines at an affordable price.

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