The number of total active SIM cards stood at 11.68 crore
Only 4.15% of the total mobile phone users have started enjoying third generation mobile broadband data services, according to regulator.
After the private mobile phone operators of the country launched 3G services at the end of October last year, the total number of 3G users crossed 48.45 lakh till the end of July this year.
The number of total active SIM cards stood at 11.68 crore, said Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) data.
Recently, BTRC collected the number of 3G users of the country as the regulator inspected the 3G service roll-out and network quality of the operators.
According to the data, Robi, the third largest operator in the country in terms of total active users, became the market leader with 13.05 lakh 3G connections.
The number of total active SIM users of Robi reached 2.42 crore as of July 2014.
“Robi has introduced simple price plans throughout its product portfolio, including with 3G data plans, to make it easier for customers to avail of our services,” Robi spokesperson told the Dhaka Tribune.
“Simple plans have made it easier for our customers to choose the plan that best suits their needs and at the most affordable rates,” he added.
Robi covered 22 district headquarters and claimed its network serving that of 3.5G level.
“Our aim has always been to offer the best customer experience, rather than speedy network deployment at the expense of a compromised customer experience,” he said.
BTRC data showed the leading operator Grameenphone could so far attract 12.87 lakh subscribers to its 3G offers while the total number of active subscribers is around 5 crore.
Only 2.60% of Grameenphone’s subscribers are using 3G services.
The operator said after July its total internet users were 1.28 crore which was highest of all operators in the country.
By March this year Grameenphone covered all 64 district headquarters with 3G network.
According to the Grameenphone officials, the operator is offering 3.9G service. However, it has failed to be top on the list of attracting 3G subscribers.
A senior executive of Grameenphone expressed their dissatisfaction over the number of 3G users as its total active subscribers are huge.
As of July, the state-owned mobile operator Teletalk’s total active users crossed 36.69 lakh and out of that 28.45% (10.44 lakh) are using 3G services, according to BTRC statistics.
“The price of handsets was the main barrier for flourishing 3G in the beginning. In last two years, the price has come down. Hope it will help to increase the number of 3G users,” Md Mujibur Rahman, former managing director of Teletalk, said.
Banglalink has 6.69 lakh 3G subscribers out of total 2.98 crore. Only 2.24% of Banglalink subscribers are enjoying 3G services. BTRC said around 1.12 crore subscribers of the operator are using Internet under it’s network.
Airtel’s total subscribers stand at 83.52 lakh and out of it 5.39 lakh (6.45%) subscribers have started using 3G.
“The package prices are close to those of neighboring countries and after awarding the licences all of the operators already covered all divisional headquarters and some important districts,” the regulator’s statement reads.
In September 2013 Grameenphone took 10 Megahertz of spectrum from 2100 band for 3G services at $210m with 5% VAT.
Robi, Banglalink and Airtel each took 5 Megahertz at $105 in an auction.
The government allocated 10 Megahertz for Teletalk on the same band in an auction price earlier.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
