Unused data to be added to new pack: BTRC

Users who access internet on their mobile phones are going to see their unused data from one package being carried forward to any other new packs.

In a guideline yesterday, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) said mobile phone operators would have to transfer the unused internet data to the next package if new packs are bought before the expiry of the existing ones.

And it will be applied to all types of internet bundles offered by mobile phone operators.

"Mobile phone operators will have to comply with the guideline from March next year," said BTRC Director General for Systems and Services Md Nasim Parvez at an event at the commission.

Under the current system, users are often deprived as internet data remains unused for many customers. The new guideline will give them the full benefit of a data package.  

The Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumer Association (BMPCA), a platform of mobile phone users, has long been demanding mobile phone operators adjust the unused data to the subsequent packages.

"We are glad. But we will see whether the guideline will benefit users," said Mohiuddin Ahmed, president of the BMPCA.

There are 11.54 crore mobile internet users in Bangladesh.

At the event, the commission launched the Discover App to allow mobile phone users to communicate through texts via Facebook and Messenger if they run out of internet data.

Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar, BTRC Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder, Post and Telecommunication Secretary Md Khalilur Rahman, and representatives of mobile operators were present.

The new guideline capped the packages for operators at 85.