MAILBOX

Let's become tech savvy

Nowadays, technology is commonly available for people of all ages. Both experts and novices feel at ease using new and updated technologies. People show their interest in solving any kind of crises by pressing a button. But pressing a button is not a denouement of dilemmas society faces. On the other hand, the "button" can be utilised by not swallowing everything broadcast on TV or social media. The article titled "Almost Useful Life Hacks: Are you or a loved one a technology failure?" published in Star Weekend on August 17 is an attempt to make tech users aware of fake information, links, unnecessary deals and offers etc. One should choose appropriate and better ways to solve relevant difficulties, therefore, let us become tech-savvy by avoiding sharing and clicking on unproductive links.

Joshinta Areng

Notre Dame University Bangladesh, Dhaka

The sudden hike in minimum call rate of mobile phone

The recent hike in the mobile phone minimum call rate is like a bolt from the blue. We generally know the price floor is fixed to save a dying venture or industry such as the government-fixed price of rice, a food staple. Are the mobile companies in our country on the verge of extinction? If the users, the main stakeholders, of these companies do not survive, will these companies survive either?

Personally, though I earn a handsome amount of money every month, I do not want to waste more money on a phone plan. This past week I have reduced my mobile phone usage by a quarter. Now, my family members and I are using other means such as internet calls and apps. This sudden hike, without prior discussion with stakeholders, will not bring any good results for either group.

The new rate ranges from Tk0.45 to Tk 2 per minute, compared to the previous on-net and off-net floor prices of Tk0.25 and Tk0.60 respectively. How logical or legitimate is to increase the price of a product or service two-fold or three-fold without taking into concern the main stakeholders? Always the mobile companies fix their own prices and the users suffer. I hope the concerned authorities will try to realise the problem of the customers and take necessary measures to mitigate this.

Sayedur Rahman

Farajipara, Khulna