Internet subscriber base sees growth for 4th month straight

The number of internet subscribers in Bangladesh rose by about 12 lakh in May from a month earlier thanks to an increase in the country's mobile subscriber base.

With this, the total number of internet subscribers has risen to 12.76 crore, according to data of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

This is the fourth consecutive month since February that the internet subscriber base has grown.

Earlier in February, the number of internet subscribers saw its first rebound after six months thanks to a jump in mobile internet users. Then in March, broadband user numbers also underwent growth.

But in May, the increase in mobile internet subscribers solely contributed to the growth.

With the 12 lakh new customers, the total number of mobile internet subscribers stands at 11.55 crore.

Officials of mobile network operators said the subscriber numbers for mobile internet have surged due to the growing popularity of diverse digital services beyond social media.

Earlier in February, the number of internet subscribers saw its first rebound after six months thanks to a jump in mobile internet users. Then in March, broadband user numbers also underwent growth.

The increasing presence of various digital platforms has led to a significant rise in mobile subscriptions, reflecting an evolving scene in the market, they said.

"We are now observing a new trend among customers," said Shahed Alam, chief corporate and regulatory officer at Robi Axiata Ltd.

"They are now using the internet for different types of digital services, such as over-the-top media, gaming etc. This is giving a boost to the subscriber base," he said.

"Earlier, mobile internet subscribers generally used our service for social media and YouTube," Alam added.

Meanwhile, broadband internet subscribers remained unchanged at 1.20 crore in May.

It cannot be ascertained if the subscribers increased or decreased as the BTRC provides broadband internet subscriber information on a quarterly basis.

The BTRC calculates broadband subscriber information through market analysis, consultation and data collection from almost all internet service providers (ISPs).

However, the ISPs said they saw a positive trend in May.

"Customer acquisition was positive in May and June," said Md Aminul Hakim, chief executive officer at Amber IT, a top broadband internet service provider.

However, it cannot be determined how many individuals use the internet with the BTRC's data since many people use multiple SIMs.

According to Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics, a project run by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 41 per cent of people in the country aged above five use the internet.

The survey pointed out the digital divide continues to exist in Bangladesh, underscoring disparities in internet access between rural and urban areas, while the gender digital divide is also palpable.

Of the users, only 37.1 per cent are from villages, highlighting the persistence of the digital divide among rural villages compared to urban cities.

While urban areas enjoy better infrastructure and connectivity, rural villages face infrastructural constraints, including inadequate broadband coverage, and a lack of technological resources, according to experts.

Industry people and experts say women face additional challenges in accessing the internet compared to their male counterparts, resulting in a gender gap in internet usage and digital skills.

Due to some cultural and traditional beliefs or norms, a gender gap in internet access persists, they said.

Of the internet users in Bangladesh, 47 per cent are men and 34 per cent are women, according to the Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics published last month.