Data price will be fixed if necessary: Telecom ​​Minister

Complaining that the mobile operators have created a 'term cycle' to make 'excess or extra profit', Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said that, to break this cycle, the maximum and minimum data prices will be fixed in the future.

In response to various questions of the journalists at the press conference held at the conference center of BTRC building in Agargaon on Sunday, the telecom minister informed the matter. At the beginning of the press conference, the Director General of BTRC, Brigadier General Md. Nasim Parvez, presented the 'New Guidelines for Data and Data Related Packages for Mobile Phone Operators-2023'.

While speaking as the chief guest, the minister said that the days of voice are over. Data time is ahead. I will use my data. This is not people friendly to fix a term. After fighting many battles, I got the unlimited package. If you are not friendly, you will stumble. Why is there no equality between buying bandwidth and selling data? That is what I’m trying to adjust.

In response to another question, the minister also said that there are limits to business. People get confused by short and numerous terms. They can't remember. The omission of the three-day period is not anything wrong. Because it confuses people. It destroys the speed of the industry. Users will benefit from extension to seven days instead of three days. Operators need to get out of the mentality of consuming user data and conduct business within ethics.

Mustafa Jabbar said that giving 15 GB of data in the discussed three-day period would not benefit the customer while urging the operators to compete at free market 'quality means the lowest' price.

BTRC Chairman Shyam Sundar Sikder presided over the event. Among others AMTOB President and Banglalink CEO Erik Aas, Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman, Robi's Chief Regulator Affairs Officer Shahed Alam and Teletalk Management Operator AKM Habibur Rahman presented their statements about the new plan.

AMTOB President and Banglalink CEO Erik Aas welcomed the new guidelines and said that Banglalink places utmost importance on customer satisfaction.

Robi's Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer Mohammad Shahed Alam said, Robi always strives to provide quality customer service and resolve every issue that arises. Stating that the operators will work together with the customers in the formation of Smart Bangladesh, he sought the assistance of BTRC in this regard.

Managing Director of Teletalk AKM Habibur Rahman said that the new guidelines of BTRC have given transparent concepts for operators and customers and given freedom of choice to customers in teleplans. Welcoming the initiative of 40 packages set by BTRC, he said that Teletalk has started working on keeping the number of packages within 40.

BTRC Chairman said that the new data package has been done through 14 meetings to fulfill the duty of law. He said that the traders should be able to do business according to the rules to protect the interests of the customers. Those who are still saying in favor of three days are saying without understanding the matter.

BTRC Vice President Engineer Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed delivered a welcome speech at the press conference. He said that BTRC is working to create fair competition in the telecommunication sector and ensure telecommunication services at the doorstep of the marginalized people. As a result of the new data package guidelines, the customer will be able to choose the data package according to their choice without suffering, he said, in the competitive market, operators will reduce the price of data for their own interest.

Among others, Commissioner of Legal and Licensing Department Abu Syed Dilzar Hossain, Commissioner of Spectrum Department Prof. Sheikh Riaz Ahmed, Commissioner of Finance, Accounts and Revenue Department Md. Mushfiq Mannan Chowdhury, Director General of Administration Department Abdullah Al Mamun, Director General of Engineering and Operations Department Brigadier General Md Ehsanul Kabir, Director General of Spectrum Department Brigadier General Mohammad Moniruzzaman Jewel, Director General (Legal and Licensing) Ashish Kumar Kundu, Secretary (BTRC) and mobile operators. Officials were present.