Govt mulls using telco towers for free Wi-Fi in rural areas

The government is planning to use network tower of mobile phone companies to provide free Wi-Fi in rural areas.

A pilot test for the new technology was performed recently, said officials of the posts and telecommunications ministry.

Initially, the state-run mobile phone operator Teletalk will introduce the service.

"We have carried out a test to check the project’s viability. The first test was successful. After further tests and analysis, it would turn into a full-scale project," telecom Minister Mustafa Jabbar told Business Insider on Wednesday.

It will be cost-effective as no new infrastructure is needed to implement the project, he said.

Mobile company officials, however, fear that such move could affect the data business which is booming in pandemic.

"Data turn out to be a more and more lucrative business as the demand is increasing fast. If the government starts to provide free Wi-Fi using our network that could be damaging for the business," a senior official of a mobile operator said, seeking anonymity.

The latest data of Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission showed the 4G internet users increased to 35.29 million in June 2020 from 19.92 million in the opening of the 2019-20 fiscal year. In Bangladesh, the fiscal year begins on July 1 until next June 30.

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.

However, in the last two months the data user declined as people resumed physical 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 the number of mobile internet users reached to 101.90 million.