Country’s mobile users stand at 11.48cr
The country’s leading mobile operator Grameenphone has enlisted the highest number of subscribers compared to other operators in four months after the launch of 3G services that give better internet speed. The GP added 16 lakh subscribers in four months till the end of January after the commercial launch of 3G services in October while Banglalink added 8.31 lakh, Robi 7.82 lakh and Airtel added 2.3 lakh subscribers, according to data released by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission on Sunday.
GP earlier bought 10 MHz of spectrum while Banglalink, Robi and Airtel bought 5 MHz each for 3G services from the BTRC through an auction in September.
As there was no competition, the operators got the spectrum at a rate of US$ 21 million for each MHz whereas the opening base price was US$ 20 million a MHz.
The state-run Teletalk which has been providing 3G services for over a year enlisted 6.4 lakh subscribers in four months.
Industry insiders said that the relatively higher spectrum purchase and campaign on 3G services gave GP the edge in acquiring more subscribers than other operators although subscribers in many areas still faced with difficulties in getting desired internet speed.
A BTRC official, however, said that although GP’s subscribers rose in four months it did not necessarily mean that the number of subscribers for 3G package increased sharply as the operator had previous 2G packages.
BTRC data showed that at the end of January the country’s total mobile subscribers stood at 11.48 crore as six operators added more than 10 lakh subscribers in the month.
The total subscribers of GP stood at 4.76 crore, Banglalink 2.89 crore, Robi 2.56 crore, Airtel 82.63 lakh, Teletalk 29.8 lakh and Citycell 13.80 lakh.
-With New Age input
