Mobile internet users decline in November as virus fears recede

The number of mobile phone internet users dropped for the second month in a row in November as people resumed their regular activities despite a spike in coronavirus infections.

The latest Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) data showed that the telecom operators lost 2.01 lakh internet users in November after the loss of 3.72 lakh customers in the previous month.

The number of mobile internet users dropped to 10.19 crore at the end of November this year from 10.21 crore a month ago.

The number of broadband internet users, however, remained unchanged at 86.56 lakh at the end of November compared to that in October.

Officials of telecom operators said that people had gradually been resuming physical movements for their day-to-day activities instead of doing those online although the second wave of coronavirus outbreak is looming.

The fall in number of mobile internet users may be the reflection of the situation, they said.

In July-September this year, the number of mobile internet users increased by 28.6 lakh as people preferred to perform their duties and other requirements from home by using different online means.

The number of subscribers of the country’s mobile phone operators increased by 2.98 lakh in November after the attainment of 9.6 lakh customers in October 2020.

Due to the increase, the total number of mobile phone subscribers in the country rose to 16.84 crore at the end of November from 16.81 crore a month ago.

Officials of the telecom operators said that the growth was the reflection of the gradual restoration of normalcy in activities in the country in the recent months amid coronavirus.

Mobile phone operator Robi attained highest number of subscribers in November with its customer base increased by 1.79 lakh to 5.06 crore at the end of November from 5.04 crore a month ago.

BTRC data showed that the total subscribers of leading mobile phone Grameenphone increased by 8,000 to 7.81 crore at the end of November.

The number of customers of Banglalink increased by 98,000 to 3.5 crore at the end of November from 3.49 crore in October.

State-owned Teletalk’s customer base increased by 13,000 to 46.31 lakh from 46.18 lakh.