Capping on mobile top-up

The recent BTRC decision to put a limit on daily top-up for pre-paid mobiles is undoubtedly a short-sighted and injudicious measure. According to the new directive pre-paid mobile users will not be allowed to recharge more than Tk. 500 per day. This prohibitive measure will create great inconvenience for the subscribers, and will have serious impact on revenues and services. There are also many BTRC approved bundle packages that cross the cap limit. This self-contradictory step will impinge upon sales of these packages and other mobile financial services such as buying tickets online, paying bills and so on. 

Regrettably, the telecom authority did not give any specific reason behind this sudden decision. But according to a senior BTRC official it is aimed at controlling illegal termination of incoming overseas calls. We wonder how capping on mobile recharge will curb such unlawful practices. Illegal overseas calls are not unique to Bangladesh. Various countries have invented effective regulatory mechanisms to tackle the problem. Bangladesh should take lessons from them. The government should also take stern action against illegal VoIP business. 

According to the BTRC chairman, the daily cap order is on a trial basis and will be revised if necessary after getting market feedback. The telecom regulator should immediately hold all-round discussions with the stakeholders, particularly the mobile operators, and find solutions for the illegal VoIP calls instead of leaping into any such counterproductive measures.