More relief for mobile users on the way
The telecom regulator is set to bring massive changes to mobile data and other packages, a move that will cut the number of offers and enable customers to carry forward their unused data of the current deal to the next one.
According to a new guideline of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), operators have to bring down the number of packages to 95, from a few hundred packages each now.
The move aims at giving relief to customers irked by a huge number of packages with a complex web of conditions, which cause confusion for them in selecting products.
The commission has already instructed the operators to follow the new directives from March.
"There are numerous packages in the market that are creating confusion and customers are complaining about this at the ministry, call centre of the BTRC, and during public hearings," said Subrata Roy Maitra, vice chairman of the BTRC.
"We have taken this step to simplify data packages so that customers can easily select their desired packages."
Before issuing the new directives, the commission met with officials of the operators and analysed the current market to put in place a better system.
ONLY THREE CATEGORIES OF PACKAGES
According to the new directives, an operator can offer 95 packages across three categories: regular packages, customer-centric special packages, and research and development packages.
The number of regular packages, which are aimed at all types of subscribers, could be as high as 50, while the number of customer-centric special packages, which are for targeted groups of customers, will be a maximum of 35.
The rest 10 will come in the research and development category to allow operators to analyse the viability of packages and trends.
Every package will contain four types of duration: 3-day, 7-day, 15-day, and 30-day.
"Following the latest BTRC directive, we have started bringing down the number of packages," said Md Hasan, head of external communications at Grameenphone, the largest operator in Bangladesh.
"While the company has complied, we also believe in understanding customers' needs and package simplification diversification accordingly for ensuring a better customer experience."
Ankit Sureka, head of corporate communications and sustainability of Banglalink, said, "Being a compliant company, we abide by the BTRC's regulations and will follow them accordingly."
"However, we believe that the number of products should not be limited, as people now expect customised products. So, customers should be given the liberty of choosing the best ones that could be unique for them."
DATA CARRY FORWARD
Thanks to the new directive, the unused data can be carried forward if customers purchase the same package before its expiration, regardless of duration.
For example, if a customer currently buys a package offering seven gigabytes of data and 100 minutes of talk-time for three days but cannot use up the data or talk-time within the stipulated time, the purchase does not carry into their next subscription.
But from March 1, the customers will be able to transfer the unused data and talk-time to the same package if it is bought before the existing offer expires.
Not only that, the data can be transferred to the new package under the other three types of duration.
Abu Saeed Khan, a senior policy fellow at LIRNEasia, a think-tank based in Colombo, says the new number of packages is still high and it goes against the consumers' interest.
"Besides, the BTRC should not regulate the price and packages as it is a hyper-competitive market where price regulation is counterproductive."
He also says the validity of all packs should be proportionate to the validity of connection, which is 90 days.
OTHER CHANGES
Operators can offer bonuses on the packages but the price of the products cannot be lower than their cost. However, packages can be offered at the floor price.
Mobile operators will have to publish the list of regular packages on their website.
They have to send an SMS to their customers, informing them about the monthly expenses in Bangla, and email such information if users request as much.
Subscribers cannot be sent more than three promotional SMSs related to a package in a single day.
SM Farhad, secretary-general of the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh, says the regulator has fixed the number of packages after discussions and consultations with the operators.
"We appreciate the BTRC's decision-making process in this regard."
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