Geting back 3 and 15 days data packages
A total of 12 crore 51 lakh customers using mobile internet in the country. However, the number of mobile internet subscribers has decreased by about 31 lakh in the last four consecutive months. The reason has also emerged in the survey of the regulatory authority BTRC. It has been found that almost 70 percent of mobile internet users use the three-day data package. After the launch of the new data package, the number of mobile internet subscribers decreased by about 31 lakh in four consecutive months from October to January.
On the other hand, the income of mobile operators is gradually decreasing due to the removal of 3 and 15 days data packages. In the post-budget press conference of MTOB, it was informed that in the second quarter (April-June) of 2023, the income of the services sold by GP, Robi and Banglalink was 7 thousand 993 crores. Also the growth rate was 7.23 percent. But in the third quarter, despite earning 8 thousand 147 crore taka, the growth dropped to 1.92 percent. In the fourth quarter i.e. October-December, along with the decrease in income, the growth rate was -1.76 percent. The negative trend continued this year as well. In the first quarter of the year (January-March) the growth was -1.24 percent at 7 thousand 905 crores.
In such a situation, the popular 3-day and 15-day mobile internet packages are returning to the customers. These packages were dropped when the number of data packages was reduced to 40 instead of 95 in October last year. However, this time Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has already been instructed to restore all the data packages of customers' choice and the commission has also started the implementation process.
State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak gave this good news in a closed door meeting held with operators at BTRC. He said, we have seen in the public hearing that customers have demand for small packages. Regarding the matter, the honorable ICT advisor told us that by conducting a survey, the public packages are brought into consideration. At the end of the verification, customers are instructed to give priority to what they like. If they prefer small packages. At least two or three packages are like that. We have also debated on this. So it will probably be given to the operators very soon so that they can pass it on to the customers.
This decision was welcomed by all the operators.
