Only 13pc subscribers use 3G services

A mere 13 percent of a total of 12.36 crore mobile subscribers are using 3G services as of April, though it has been one and a half years since the launch of the fastest mobile internet, according to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.

The number of 3G users was much lower, barely 9 percent or 1.15 crore, until Grameenphone stepped up efforts to boost internet use in the last two months.

Around 1.61 crore SIMs are currently connected to 3G services, with the number being just 13.02 percent of the total active SIMs, according to the regulator.

“It is not a good number,” said Abdullah Ferdous, the then consultant of BTRC's spectrum auction for 3G licence in September 2013.

But BTRC Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose said, “The number of 3G users is more or less satisfactory, and now we need to concentrate on quality.”

When quality improves, the number of users automatically rises, he added.

Among the mobile phone operators, Grameenphone has taken the lead in 3G connectivity, with 87 lakh out of its 5.2 crore active SIMs, according to BTRC.

Grameenphone had 46.03 lakh 3G users in February, and added more than 41 lakh since then.“GP has seen a sharp rise in the number of 3G subscribers, as we have increased our 3G coverage substantially. Additionally, we merged our 2G and 3G internet packages, and 2G subscribers within our 3G coverage areas are now counted as 3G subscribers,” said Syed Talat Kamal, spokesperson for the operator.

Robi, the third largest operator in terms of active connections, has the second highest number of 3G connections with 29 lakh users out of its 2.63 crore active SIMs at present.

Banglalink comes next with 22 lakh 3G subscribers out of a total of 3.19 crore active SIMs. 

State-owned Teletalk has 14 lakh 3G users out of 40 lakh connections, while Airtel has nine lakh 3G users out of 81.85 lakh active connections.

Combined efforts of the operators and the government are necessary to increase use of the 3G technology, Ferdous said. 

“Apart from publicity and affordability, good content and utility are also imperative.”