Missed Matches Despite Buying World Cup Pass: Grameenphone Faces Backlash

The long-awaited excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026 has gripped the entire nation. However, at the very onset of the tournament, lakhs of football fans across the country faced extreme frustration while attempting to watch the matches on digital platforms. Responding to widespread promotional campaigns for live OTT (Over-The-Top) streaming, thousands of users purchased Grameenphone's "FIFA World Cup Pass" but were unable to watch the opening matches. The country’s leading telecom operator is now under fire as subscribers demand answers after being locked out due to severe server glitches and technical failures despite their payments being processed.

Subscribers who spent BDT 28 for the 24-hour "single-day package" were reportedly the worst affected, suffering both financial and emotional disappointment.

Payment Completed, Screen Blackout

To cater to World Cup enthusiasts, Grameenphone introduced three exclusive streaming passes via its 'Bioscope' (Bioscope+) and 'MyGP' apps: BDT 28 for 24 hours, BDT 127 for 7 days, and BDT 199 for 45 days.

Subscribers alleged that right before the opening match, the system faced massive delays in sending One-Time Passwords (OTPs). Those who managed to log in after repeated attempts were abruptly greeted by a frustrating "Device Reached Limits" error message as soon as the match kicked off. As a result, paying consumers were completely deprived of the opening night's live action.

Single-Day Pack Users Vent Outrage

Furious victims have flooded social media with complaints against Grameenphone. A large section of these users had purchased the BDT 28 single-day pass specifically to watch the opening ceremony and the inaugural match rather than the entire tournament.

Tanvir Ahmed, a private sector employee from Mirpur, expressed his anger: "I bought the 1-day pass for BDT 28 just to watch the Mexico vs. South Africa opening match. But throughout the broadcast, I saw nothing but constant buffering and that annoying 'device limit' message. Not only did I lose my money, but the joy of the opening night was completely ruined. Who will compensate for this?"

Tech analysts point out that this massive breakdown indicates Grameenphone's OTT server infrastructure was heavily underprepared for the massive traffic surge, despite its vast subscriber base of over 84 million. While the operator racked up millions in revenue within a single day, the actual consumer experience delivered was virtually non-existent.

Official Response and Current Situation

Grameenphone authorities have acknowledged the server crash and technical glitches. Sharfuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Head of Communications at Grameenphone, stated that due to an unexpected technical glitch, some customers faced disruptions while streaming the FIFA World Cup on the Bioscope platform. He added that the technical team gave the issue top priority and worked swiftly to restore normal services.

Reports indicate that following the Day 1 disaster, server capacities were upgraded, bringing the streaming experience back to near-normal from the second day. However, the telecom operator has not yet made any clear announcement regarding refunds or compensation for the single-day package users who feel cheated.