Three telcos seek BTRC step to stop GP offers

Country's three mobile phone operators- Robi, Banglalink and Teletalk, in a joint letter to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), requested to reconsider the decision to allow Grameenphone to offer free minutes to its subscribers. 

The letter was sent to telecom regulator's Chairman Jahirul Haque on Monday. 

Signed by the chief executive officers of the three telcos, the letter also said allowing the market leader to start price war and benefit it's commercial purposes would affect the industry. 

GP on Friday announced several initiatives aiming Covid-19 crisis worth Tk100 crore, including free minutes for one crore inactive users of April.  

It also announced to provide 30 GB internet for only Tk1 for medical professionals. 

The matter sparked controversy as industry people claimed the offer violated some exiting rules. 

In the letter, the three operators said, the government and regulators should not allow any special treatment to SMP ( significant market power) operator that contradicts the existing policy. 

So, BTRC should re-enforce restrictions on the SMP operator to create level playing field in the industry, reads the letter. 

According to BTRC data, of the total 16.61 crore mobile phone subscribers of the country, GP has 46 percent, Robi 30 percent, Banglalink 21 percent and state-owned Teletalk has 3 percent customers.