Bangladesh has set a unique example in the world with ‘One Country One Rate’ and ‘Unlimited’ packages on the Internet services. However, Internet users are having a hard time to enjoy this opportunity. In this case, the customers could not be satisfied with the package of 3 private operators providing ‘one year validity’ and ‘daily usage limit’ in the monthly package in mobile data. They term it as ‘old wine in a new twist’.
However, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Authority is taking necessary steps to address the grievances and complaints of netizens. The Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mostafa Jabbar dreams of establishing a role model in the world of internet services to establish a good relationship between operators and customers.
He said that, out of 95 packages of the operators, the 2 unlimited packages were launched on 28th April. Gradually, those packages are increasingly gaining popularity.
According to sources, Teletalk’s offer of 6 GB internet at Tk. 127 is now becoming the most popular package among the customers. However, Grameenphone’s number of users of 5 GB internet package at Tk. 449 for 365 days is increasing. Besides, 5 GB internet at Banglalink’s 306 taka also caught the attention of customers. However, Robi has a 10 GB internet package of Tk. 319 at the top of the list in terms of average popularity.
However, Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Mostafa Jabbar has hinted that the issue of limiting the 365 days with these packages also will not prevail.
He told Digi Bangla, “I have seen that the GP’s package is a matter of dissatisfaction.” The BTRC informed them about the matter. Hopefully, it will be fixed soon. And everyone has been informed to take away the one year term given in the rest of the Unlimited package.
Describing the Unlimited deadline as a ‘misunderstanding’, the minister said, “They (operators) thought that if someone did not use the phone for more than a year, the SIM would be blocked. However, they have been asked to rectify the matter.”
The minister also said that pressure has been put on the operators to make the price of data in the monthly package more tolerable. The operators will also take away the conditions of using one GB or two GB of data per day.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mostafa Jabbar hinted that those who will be customer friendly will be rewarded in future.
He said, Bangladesh is the first in the world to have unlimited data on mobile internet. And we continue to make every effort to address the subtleties that lie in the data business. We are hopeful this situation will not last. Because we have been working on this since the Eid holiday. It will be announced at any time.
When it will be announced when asked to BTRC Director General Brigadier General Nasim Parvez; He informed DigiBangla that the issue would be resolved soon through a meeting with the operators. He said, “Soon we will sit down with the operators on the issues of Hon’ble Minister mentioned and BTRC will take necessary steps on how to make Data Unlimited more people-friendly.”
By the way, only Teletalk’s term is truly unlimited. The operator offers 26 GB internet at Tk. 309 and 6 GB internet at Tk. 127.
According to sources, the London-based business research firm Analysis for Innovators (A4I) is going to present this initiative to the world as a role model. Eleanor, the A4AI4A Global Policy Officer visiting Bangladesh, and Anju Mangal, Asia-Pacific Coordinator, said Bangladesh’s progress on the Internet has reached a point where it can set an example to other countries. With Unlimited Data Packs and One Country One Rate, Bangladesh can become a role model for the world to have easy access to the Internet.
