Minimum call rate hurting the poor

Because of rapid advances in technology, human beings are becoming increasingly connected at a pace never seen before. Technology is affecting everyone's life, and the same is the case for us here in Bangladesh.

At this time, the government's decision to increase call rates of all telecom operators makes no sense. Before this increase, the industry was very competitive as each company tried to convince customers to use their service by providing them with some very good offers.

This increase on the other hand has increased the cost of using cell-phones for customers significantly and so it is difficult to understand why the government would take such a decision. The only ones who would benefit from this are telecom companies.

If the government was truly concerned about public interest it ought to have set a maximum call rate, not a minimum call rate. 

As a result of the government's decision, people with lower income will now have to suffer. It seems as if the government, in collusion with telecom operators, have come to an agreement that runs completely against the interest of ordinary citizens.

And the biggest losers from this, again, are those who are the poorest.

Md Tarek Aziz Bappi, Dhaka University