Rohingyas are not allowed to use mobile phones. However, in 34 Rohingya camps of Ukhia-Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, there are allegations of using SIMs of Myanmar operators in addition to national mobile phone SIMs. In this context, a delegation of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Agency (BTRC) visited the Rohingya camp on the ground.
During the inspection, the team found evidences of the use of SIMs of both Bangladeshi and Myanmar operators in the hands of numerous Rohingyas. In such a situation, ways have already started to stop the use of Myanmar mobile SIM and network in the camp area. At the same time, it has been reported that the government may come to a decision on how to validate the Bangladeshi mobile SIMs (the SIMs that are being used).
However, Posts and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar told DigiBangla that the matter is being analyzed in depth, not only us but also the Ministry of Home Affairs is looking into the matter. As the border is not small and the Myanmar network is quite strong. For that reason, using a jammer does not seem to be a solution for now. Therefore, whether the Rohingyas will be given Bangladeshi mobile SIM, the matter is now under scrutiny. No decision has been taken on this yet. The decision will be final based on the recommendation that will come after verification on what basis and how to give SIM to them.
In response to a question, the minister said, we have to think about many things before giving them SIMs. Because, we will not activate SIM without registration. Then how their SIM will be registered, they have to think about it. How many SIMs can be given, who will get SIMs, at what age can buy SIMs, whether it will be given to individuals or families, will be decided. Then the matter of giving SIMs to the Rohingyas will come.
There are allegations that Rohingyas are using hundreds of thousands of SIMs in Rohingya camps, such allegations are from the past years. Apart from this, there are complaints against several domestic mobile phone operators for selling SIM cards in the camp area. In addition to local mobile SIMs, Myanmar mobile SIMs are also being used in Rohingya camps.
It may be noted that, the mobile phone operator Teletalk has given the opportunity to talk on mobile phones for free from one camp to another camp to help the Rohingyas who have taken shelters in Cox’s Bazar to communicate with each other. On October 4, 2017, a Teletalk booth was inaugurated in the Rohingya camp. Teletalk launched 10 booths to provide telecommunication services in Kutupalong, Balukhali, Thaingkhali, Hakimpara, Palongkhali and Teknaf’s Hoikkyang camp in Cox’s Bazar. In September 2019, BTRC said that mobile operators’ 2G services will always be available in Rohingya camps.
