Michael Kuehner, the outgoing chief executive of Robi, said the voice market in Bangladesh is stagnating while the data market is booming.
“Voice revenue is flattening out whereas data market growth is really fast in Bangladesh, although the use of data is still very low.” Kuehner, also the chairman of Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh, spoke to representatives of Telecom Reporters’ Network Bangladesh, an association of telecom journalists, in his office yesterday.
Kuehner worked in Bangladesh for the last four and a half years as the managing director and CEO of Robi. He is retiring this month.
He will continue to work as a consultant for the Kuala Lumpur-based Axiata group, the majority shareholder of Robi.
It is surprising to see that the nation’s GDP continues to grow at around 6 percent despite political and other problems, he said.
Kuehner termed the telecom industry the highest tax provider but the lowest revenue market, which is the most challenging part for the industry.
“My main focus was not revenue or the numbers, though it was important. I concentrated on the culture of the company to develop.”
Under his leadership, Robi became the second largest operator in the country in terms of revenue and is now making profit. Robi rebranded from Aktel in his term.
His successor is expected to join Robi on January 1.
-With The Daily Star input
