The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has directed mobile network operators (MNOs) to introduce unlimited internet packages, both in terms of volume and validity. The directive, issued on Sunday, also mandates that any unused data from an internet package can be carried over if the same package is renewed or purchased again before the current validity expires.
The BTRC emphasized that the introduction of these unlimited packages should consider consumer interests and affordability. Additionally, the commission has permitted MNOs to offer time-limited packages based on the same principles. However, the commission has restricted the provision of internet packages between 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM and recommended offering 200 MB of free data each month to all active users to promote digital inclusion and encourage broader internet usage.
One key change is that users will no longer lose leftover data as long as they renew the same package before its validity expires. This move follows long-standing demands from telecom stakeholders and consumers for the introduction of unlimited internet packages, as current packages often fail to offer full value due to time limits. While unlimited data packages are available, their high prices make them less accessible to many consumers.
However, some experts, like BM Mainul Hossain, a professor at the University of Dhaka, have raised concerns that the BTRC should also consider the perspective of MNOs when implementing such directives. He highlighted the need for balance, considering operators’ investments.
Taimur Rahman, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer at Banglalink, expressed support for the BTRC’s initiatives, stating that allowing operators more freedom in designing products would help tailor services to customer needs. Shahed Alam, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer at Robi Axiata, also welcomed the new directive, hoping it would alleviate consumer dissatisfaction.
The BTRC’s new directive also removes the previous limit of 40 data package types that MNOs could offer, allowing operators to send up to three promotional SMS per day. However, the directive excludes international roaming, IoT, and corporate services from its scope.
