Grameenphone has fixed the minimum recharge amount at Tk 30. The operator with the highest number of subscribers has given this information through SMS to customers. Apart from this, prepaid customers can also see the warning notice in their MyGP app.
In the SMS sent to the customers, Grameenphone says that from January 10, the minimum recharge amount will be Tk 30. However, recharge offers below Tk 30 and scratch cards can be used as before. A notice about this has also been given in the MyGP app. It says, ‘From January 10, the minimum recharge amount will be taka 30.’
Currently, Grameenphone customers can recharge a minimum of Tk 20. According to the new notice, the facility will be closed on Tuesday (January 9) at 12 midnight. From January 10, the new rule i.e., minimum recharge of Tk 30 will be in effect.
The customers have already started expressing their dissatisfaction over this decision of Grameenphone. They are demanding the withdrawal of the decision by posting on social media.
Regarding this, The Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers’ Association-BMPCA President Mohiuddin Ahmed said that, the customers have the freedom to purchase, they cannot be forced to buy a certain amount of service for a certain amount in any way.
Which is completely contrary to Consumer Rights Act 2009, and Bangladesh Competition Act 2015. Extorting money from a customer by fixing a certain amount is unfair. This minimum rate should not be approved if BTRC is an organization protecting the interests of consumers. The government wants to bring the citizens under the telecommunication and internet service at the marginal level. There is only a mechanism to keep the marginalized population out of this service by setting a minimum price of Tk 30. Customers should have freedom to purchase services or products. You can never tell a customer that you have to buy a kilogram of a product. They should have right to buy according to their means and ability. We do not accept this decision. I urge the Commission to cancel this fixation of minimum amount of recharge and give the opportunity to customers to recharge at their convenience and affordability.