Khairul Alam: The number of mobile internet users in the country has seen a significant decrease, according to the latest figures released by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
In a span of five months, approximately 3.5 million mobile internet customers have dropped off. However, during the same period, there has been a relative increase in subscribers for ISP and PSTN internet services.
Customers attribute this decline to what they perceive as orchestrated increases in internet tariffs by mobile operators under the guise of package adjustments.
Many are opting to use Wi-Fi at home and refraining from activating mobile data while outdoors.
According to BTRC data, in September 2023, the country had approximately 11 crore and 97 lakh mobile internet subscribers. The latest figures, released for January of the current year, reveal a decrease to 11 crore and 63 lakh subscribers. Although February’s data is yet to be published by the BTRC, officials have indicated a further decline in mobile internet users for that month.
The BTRC regularly publishes the number of internet users on its official website. In August 2023, the number of mobile internet subscribers surged to 11 crore and 97 lakh and 90 thousand, only to start dwindling from September onwards.
By September, the count had dropped by 20 thousand, and by October, a staggering 3 lakh and 60 thousand customers had left, bringing the total down to 11 crore and 94 lakh and 10 thousand.
November saw a drop of nearly 5 lakh subscribers, with the total standing at 11 crore and 89 lakh and 60 thousand. In December, the decline continued, reaching 11 crore and 84 lakh and 90 thousand. The most recent data for January indicates a decrease to 11 crore and 60 lakh and 30 thousand mobile internet customers.