Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) plans to revamp its “Alaap” application in 2025, aiming to attract more users both domestically and internationally. With the increasing use of OTT apps for voice, messaging, and other services, BTCL seeks to enhance its app by adding new features like SMS, hosted IP telephone, voice broadcasting, bulk SMS, cloud storage, wallet services, bill payments, metro rail tickets, and a dedicated customer care center for Alaap users.
BTCL Managing Director Md. Anwar Hossain shared with BSS that the company plans to expand Alaap’s usage across all sectors of society. “We will enhance marketing activities and incorporate new features,” he said. BTCL also plans to reduce tariffs to make call rates and SMS packages more affordable for customers. The new features are expected to be integrated by April 2025.
Launched in March 2021, Alaap is BTCL’s answer to apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Imo, offering users the ability to make calls to both mobile and landline numbers through a unique subscriber number. While using Alaap for internet-based calls and chatting is free, users making calls to non-Alaap subscribers pay Taka 0.35 per off-net call, in addition to their internet charges.
However, the app has faced challenges with number allocation. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has issued a total of 2 million unique numbers in two phases, which are nearly exhausted. Currently, Alaap has over 1.9 million registered users, with 1.65 million verified through NID, and another 394,000 users pending verification. Despite demand for more users, the shortage of numbers has limited growth.
Alaap has around 1.7 million active users and handles an average of 700,000 paid calls daily, along with 8,000 to 10,000 free calls. Since its inception, the app has generated Taka 32 crore in revenue. Smartphone users can download the app from Google Play and register with an existing mobile number and NID card, after which BTCL provides a new virtual phone number for the user.
