Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has received about 1500 complaints from the participants of this sector on the occasion of public hearing.
This public hearing was held on the domestic online platform ‘Convey’ on Tuesday morning. During the hearing and before it, the customers made various complaints online-offline.
BTRC has assured to investigate the complaints and take necessary action. At the same time, they said that the audit of mobile operators and the issue of unfair competition will be looked into.
The public hearing started at 10 am on this day. The hearing lasted for about two hours. During this time, customers complained about network weakness, value added service (VAS) deduction, call rate and data pack price, SIM replacement fee, etc.
Apart from this, if the SIM is closed for 450 days, the customers will suffer from change of ownership and potential complications related to NEIR (National Equipment Identity Register).
BTRC Vice Chairman Abu Bakar Siddique presided over the hearing. Conducted by Director General of Licensing and Spectrum Department Brigadier General Md. Aminul Haque.
At this time, a customer said, from time to time annoying phone calls are received in the name of unnecessary services. Unknowingly deducted money.
Several customers objected to the price of the data pack (internet service). Due to network weakness, many people complained of suffering from cold drop and internet usage.
Brigadier General, director general of BTRC wave department. Aminul Haque said, ‘If the operator starts a service where money can be deducted, permission is taken. If it starts without permission, we will take action if complaint is made.’
Aminul Haque said that efforts are being made to quickly solve the customer’s problems with mobile SIM and internet.
It was informed in the hearing that currently the number of active mobile phone SIMs in the country is 188 million. Four operators are providing voice call and internet services. According to BTRC sources, about 100 participants including customers, journalists were involved in the hearing.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association termed this hearing as a ‘tyrannical public hearing’.
In a message after the hearing, the president of the organization Mohiuddin Ahmed said, ‘They did not give floor (opportunity to speak) even after announcing my name after waiting online for a long time of 1 hour and 20 minutes. Even with some of their own people they held public hearings on a few questions.’
