TELCOs Face One-Week Deadline To Propose Data Price Reductions

Amid growing public concern over rising mobile internet rates, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has requested that all mobile network operators submit reports within a week outlining the steps they are taking to lower data package prices.

The mobile network operators have one week to submit plans outlining how they can lower the cost of data packages, according to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). The public’s complaints over growing mobile internet costs prompted this regulation. 

Following talks between the regulator and mobile operators in December and earlier this month, the directive was issued on Wednesday. The Vice Chairman gave all operators a week to provide written reports detailing their action plans after the talks. Each operator will have a private meeting with the BTRC to discuss their particular plans.

A meeting presided over by BTRC Vice Chairman Md Abu Bakar Siddique examined the status of plans to reduce data charges that were announced earlier this month, according to an official document.

The director general of BTRC’s system and service division emphasised during the meeting that mobile data costs had increased dramatically in recent months in spite of earlier directives.

The vice chairman noted that the sharp increase in data prices has created financial hardship for users and urged operators to cut prices.

The highest echelons of government have taken notice of the problem, he continued.

The meeting minutes state that Siddique revealed explicit directives to lower data pricing from the government, including the chief adviser’s special assistant.

Additionally, he cautioned that BTRC would step in in accordance with government orders if operators failed to take meaningful action.

Mobile operators responded by claiming that the primary cause of recent pricing increases is growing operating expenses. They cited rising foreign exchange rates, inflation, and increased network maintenance expenses as reasons why imported investments and equipment have become more costly.

However, the operators requested separate meetings with BTRC to provide a detailed explanation of their proposed activities and potential tariff modifications, and they informed the regulator that they are working on ways to lower data pricing.

After the conversation, Vice Chairman Siddique gave all operators a week to provide written reports detailing their plans and actions to reduce the cost of data packages.

BTRC will meet one-on-one with each operator to further examine their recommendations in light of these reports.

Robi Axiata PLC’s chief corporate and regulatory officer, Shahed Alam, stated, “Any pricing review should be based on a clear and transparent cost study to ensure decisions are evidence-based, sustainable, and support long-term sector growth.”

Revenue has been continuously declining over the last 24 months, but customers have benefited from a 20% decrease in data prices. Operators may become financially susceptible if further cuts are made without taking expenses and investment requirements into account.

It is more difficult to invest in network expansion, enhance service quality, and implement new technologies when returns are low. Arbitrary or short-term price decisions have the potential to damage the sector, lower service quality, and even raise consumer costs.

Telecom companies said they are trying to lower pricing, but they also pointed out some obstacles. A transparent cost assessment should serve as the foundation for any pricing revision, according to Shahed Alam, a spokesman of Robi Axiata PLC. He stated that consumers had benefited from a decline in revenue and a 20% decrease in data prices over the last two years. Additional reductions without taking investment requirements into account may have an effect on network growth and service quality.

In November 2019 and March 2025, Nigeria’s government and senate advised and ordered its regulator to collaborate with telecom companies to lower data costs; however, this deadline was later extended. Ghana has created a plan to lower data costs by the end of 2025.