BTRC to Audit Infozillion Teletech BD’s MNP Operations Amid Declining Usage

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to audit the operations of Infozillion Teletech BD Ltd., the sole service provider for Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in Bangladesh, following a significant decline in service uptake. The decision was made at a regular commission meeting held on 21 July, aiming to review the company’s operational procedures under Section 31 of the Telecommunication Regulation Act and verify the integrity of its user reporting systems.

MNP — which allows mobile subscribers to switch operators while retaining their existing phone numbers — was launched in October 2018, with Infozillion Teletech BD Ltd. selected as the exclusive MNP operator. Bangladesh became the 72nd country to introduce this service. In the early phase, MNP saw strong adoption; in May 2019 alone, over 111,000 users changed operators through the system. However, by March 2025, the number had dwindled to just 3,522.

According to Infozillion Teletech BD Ltd., the downturn is attributed to several factors including high SIM taxation, regulatory bottlenecks, a high rate of application rejections, lack of cooperation from mobile operators, OTP (One-Time Password) and SMS complexities, and issues related to mobile financial services (MFS).

In response, BTRC is forming four committees to oversee the audit process. Spectrum Division Commissioner Mahmud Hossain will chair a team tasked with defining the Terms of Reference (ToR), as well as preparing the Expression of Interest (EoI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) for external auditors. A three-member budget estimation committee will be led by Brigadier General Shafiul Azam Parvez, while Dr. Sohel Rana will head the bid opening committee, including an external representative. Brigadier General Md. Aminul Haque will lead the seven-member bid evaluation committee, which will include two external experts.

Speaking on the matter, Infozillion CEO Mustafa Kamal welcomed the audit but noted its effectiveness would depend on BTRC’s intent and the inclusivity of the ToR. “Alongside documentation review, the process must reflect a sincere effort to support industry growth and ensure compliance,” he said.

Previously, he had criticized Bangladesh’s high SIM tax structure as inconsistent with global best practices and raised concerns over mobile operators’ lack of collaboration with the MNP process, which he said leads to poor user experience.

The BTRC meeting also discussed similar audit plans for other telecom service entities, including Summit Communications Ltd. and Fiber@Home, as well as mobile operators Teletalk, Grameenphone, Robi, and Banglalink. Audits for Grameenphone and Robi (up to 2014) and for Banglalink (up to 2019) have already been completed.

BTRC now seeks to complete pending audits for MNP, NTTN, tower-sharing services, and all major mobile network operators, as part of its drive toward transparency and improved telecom governance.