The government will start process from tomorrow to shut the country's oldest mobile phone operator Citycell as it has failed to pay dues around Tk 477.51 crore.

State Minister for Telecom Tarana Halim made the announcement at a press conference held at her ministry office this afternoon.

READ MORE: PM to decide fate of Citycell

"Citycell has defaulted on its dues with the government despite several remainders and so we reached the decision," she said.

She asked all subscribers of the mobile phone operators to switch to any other operators by August 23.

EAD MORE: Citycell seeks more time to pay dues

Earlier, the subscribers of Citycell have been asked to switch to any other operator by August 16.

"We have extended the timeframe to switch to another operator considering sufferings of the subscribers," she added.