Pandemic sees 77% surge in 4G internet users

Despite the overall economic turmoil, the pandemic-ridden year has boosted the data business in the telecom sector as in the 2019-20 fiscal year, the number of 4G internet users witnessed a 77% growth in Bangladesh.

The latest data by the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) showed that 4G internet users increased to 35.29 million in June 20 from 19.92 million at the opening of the fiscal year.

At the same time, the number of 3G users declined to 50.70 million from 57.55 million, whereas 2G users declined to 75.30 million from 84 million.

Industry insiders said the lockdown amid the pandemic was a major boost for data usage as people were bound to work online.

"If you see the data, then you will notice that from March — when the lockdown was imposed — the 4G users increased by 4.5 million,” a senior BTRC official said seeking anonymity.

However, in last two months, data users declined as people began resuming regular activities.

The telecom operators lost 2.01 lakh internet users in November after the loss of 3.72 lakh customers in the previous month.

As of November this year, the number of mobile internet users reached 101.90 million.

Room for improvement

Telecom industry insiders and mobile internet users said 4G service is available mostly in the divisional headquarters and the quality is very poor.

Last year, the telecom regulator conducted test drives in Dhaka and Barisal divisions to assess the quality of 4G service by mobile operators as per BTRC benchmark of 7MBps download speed.

In Dhaka, as per BTRC findings, GP and Robi maintained the benchmark while Banglalink was providing service at 6.49MBps and Teletalk at 4.85MBps.

In Barisal, all the four operators failed to maintain the 4G internet speed as per the BTRC benchmark.

"The tussle between mobile phone operators and tower building companies halted construction of new towers in the country for almost two years. By this time, the number of mobile internet users increased manifold, worsening service quality. But the problem has been resolved now and new towers are in progress," said a BTRC official.