Complaining that Myanmar’s MPD telecom network has been using high-frequency operations in Teknaf and Ukhia, the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Subscribers Association has called for a quick solution to this issue through bilateral talks in accordance with the law of the two countries’ telecom regulatory commissions.
Mohiuddin Ahmed, president of the organization, said there was a risk of crime and sabotage in the border areas of Bangladesh, especially in the border areas of Myanmar and India, where the mobile networks of their countries are in use.
He said mobile networks were one of the means of smuggling, drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking and even important information smuggling in the border areas. Especially since August 25, 2017, when Rohingyas from Rakhine State took refuge as refugees in Ukhia and Teknaf, the issue of misuse of mobile networks has come to the notice of all. Even using this mobile network creates chaos by holding public meetings.
It can be observed from us and various media that out of 11 lakh Rohingyas, only 8-9 lakh use Bangladeshi SIM. Of these, 3-4 lakh SIMs belong to MTP, a Myanmar mobile company. The government shut down 3G and 4G services in Myanmar from September 1, 2019, when we demanded the closure of mobile networks. Right after that, Rohingyas started using the network of mobile operators in Myanmar more. Myanmar’s mobile operator has set up a mobile tower on the banks of the Naf River in the interest of faster customer service and business.
When we bring up the issue, even if we make a statement through the media, the national online and national newspapers and even the BBC broadcasted that statement. At present, the locals of Teknaf are embarrassed to use the network, but the Rohingyas are using the 3G and 4G networks. Similarly, the citizens of border areas are easily using Reliance Jio mobile networks along the India border of other countries as there is a tower of that mobile network. Through this, there is a possibility of money laundering, criminal acts and smuggling state security information.
