BTCL plans to introduce free Wi-Fi in 1,216 unions

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited is planning to introduce free Wi-Fi hotspots in 1,216 union parishads where the state owned company has its own fiber-optic connectivity, said its managing director on Facebook Live today.

 "We have submitted a project proposal to the government for free Wi-Fi hotspots at union level. We are now waiting for a nod from the government," said Md Rafiqul Matin, managing director of the state owned telecommunication company.

He said initially they will make the Wi-Fi spots free and will gradually try to find partners for it.

Earlier, BTCL launched Wi-Fi services at 146 public educational institutions in 23 districts in January, to be availed free of cost for the first two years.

This was the first such government project involving such as large number of colleges, universities, and polytechnic and vocational training institutes and aims to set up Wi-Fi hotspots in 587 educational institutions by June.

Matin said today that it is their duty to ensure quality service which is why he hosted a Facebook Live with their customers and responded to about 450 questions and recommendations within the hour-long session.

In the session, the managing director of BTCL apologised to his customers as they could not offer satisfactory services to their customers.

 "I am regretful as we could not ensure the desired service quality for our customers," said Md Rafiqul Matin, managing director of the state owned telecommunication company.

Matin found different complaints from the customers about their officers and in response, he said they will not hesitate to take action against culprits from authentic complaints.

The managing director of the largest state-owned telecom company expressed their desire to be the number one broadband company in the country.

However, he also apologised for not having coverage at a rural level.

Matin said that they are now receiving complaints though mobile apps and have started the online application process.

 "Customers can get our connection sitting at home," Matin added. "We have already ensured online billings and got a huge response from our telesheba mobile application."