HC wants BTRC report on steps taken to stop call drops

The High Court today wanted to know the steps taken to stop call drops, disruptions, extra charging from mobile phone subscribers and low quality of voice calls and internet service.

The court ordered Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to submit a report in this regard in compliance with its January 23 directive -- before it by April 3.

The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman passed the order during hearing a writ petition that sought necessary directives on the issue.

Today, BTRC's lawyer Khandker Reza-E Raquib told the HC bench that his client has received the copy of its January 23 order on February 20 and therefore, it needs more time to comply with the directives.

Following the same writ petition, the HC bench on January 23 directed the cellular mobile telecom operators to ensure crystal clear voice call quality, speedy internet service and stable network in line with their advertisements and circulates in print and electronic media in order to stop sufferings of subscribers.

The HC also formed a five-member supervisory committee to monitor the functions of the complaint cell established under the BTRC for quick disposal of complaints against the existing cellular mobile telecom operators over the relevant issues.

Secretaries to ministries of information communication technology, posts and telecommunications BTRC chairman, one teacher from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and representative from the Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (MTOB), an organization of the mobile phone operators, have been included in the committee.

Lawyer AM Masum appeared for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Bepul Bagmar represented the state during virtual hearing today.