MNP Market Makeover Mooted for Revenue Rise
Withdrawal of SIM tax and easing access to mobile number portability (MNP) services would not only enhance customer experience but also boost government revenue, said Infozillion, the MNP service provider in Bangladesh. The company, which received its service license by paying the same license fee as mobile network operators, urged the regulatory authority BTRC to remove obstacles that hinder incentives at the consumer level, in line with licensing conditions.
At a workshop titled “Challenges and Prospects in Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Services” held on Tuesday at the RAOWA Complex in the capital, Infozillion representatives called for regulatory reforms to improve the MNP landscape. The event was organized by the Telecom and Technology Reporters’ Network Bangladesh (TRNB), where TRNB General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin delivered the welcome speech, and the session was chaired by Samir Kumar Dey.
Infozillion Managing Director Mabrur Hossain stated, “We initiated this project with 50% FDI. Hence, we are committed to ensuring consumer freedom. But this freedom is being compromised in various ways. If MNP is implemented properly, indirect government revenue will increase and customers will receive optimal service. This will also attract more foreign investment to the country.”
In his remarks, Infozillion CEO Mostafa Kamal pointed out competitive disparities in the market due to mobile operators directly sending messages to clients, sidelining domestic A2P (application-to-person) entrepreneurs. “There is inconsistency between aggregator and direct plans in the case of A2P SMS. This is evident when comparing bulk SMS rate charts between mobile operators and aggregators. Initially, MNP received good responses from mobile operators, but tariff plans later reduced its appeal. In India, MNP has succeeded due to a regulator-friendly environment. For the sake of success, Infozillion is ready to lower the tariff to even less than five paisa,” said Kamal, a former BTRC official.
The workshop also highlighted regulatory barriers affecting customer adoption of MNP. Infozillion Technical Lead Obaidul Islam noted that Bangladesh was the 72nd country to launch MNP, and although seven lakh users adopted the service in the first year, the number did not grow in the following six years. He said, “We are working to uphold telecom service quality through our A2P aggregator and SMS dipping platform. However, due to regulatory hurdles, 97% of potential users have stopped availing the service. Although the guidelines mandate consumer outreach, that directive was suspended by a letter, reopened recently, and again stopped the next day. If both mobile operators and we are allowed to promote the service, this project can regain momentum.”
Former TRNB President Rashed Mehdi added, “This service should be subsidized by the government and may be used for a third network. Challenges will grow. Advertising is restricted.”
The workshop was attended by Infozillion’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Sajjad Hossain Majumder, Head of Service Asifur Rahman, and Assistant Manager Rifat Hasan.
