Banglalink making profits: CEO

Banglalink has become the third operator after Grameenphone and Robi to register profits, although it never formally acknowledged its turn in fortunes.

"We got their reports and saw that Banglalink is making a very nominal profit," said Sunil Kanti Bose, the outgoing chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, at the BTRC office.

He, however, did not disclose any numbers.

Ziad Shatara, chief executive officer of Banglalink, happened to be at the BTRC premises when Bose made the disclosure and the correspondent asked him about it.

"We made profits during the first half of this year, but I can't provide the numbers right now," Shatara said, adding that the positive trend may continue for the rest of the year.

The second largest operator in terms of subscribers, Banglalink's revenues stood at Tk 2,320 crore in the first half of 2015, up 9 percent year-on-year. The company has been in Bangladesh since 2005.

Bose said there should be a maximum of four operators in a country like Bangladesh.

"Six operators will not sustain here. So, the other operators need to merge for their survival."