Different charges are applied on both off-net and on-net. Off-net charges are suited to calls made within a similar network and on-net charges are applied to calls from one operator to another operator.
The government has moved to fix a flat call rate for mobile phone operators to eliminate the existing off-net and on-net charge gap with a view to helping smaller operators survive in the era of intense competition.
Different charges are applied on both off-net and on-net. Off-net charges are suited to calls made within a similar network and on-net charges are applied to calls from one operator to another operator.
The lower and higher prices of data for mobile internet will be fixed by the telephone regulator. The decisions were confirmed at a meeting at Gono Bhaban chaired by Sajeeb Wazed Joy, ICT affairs adviser of the prime minister.
Mustafa Jabbar, telecom minister said, “We have already run a cost modeling on data service by the International Telecommunication Union experts and it will be implemented within a month to fix the lower and upper rate of mobile internet.”
He said that,” The off-net and on-net charges create an imbalance between the big and small operators and the government wants to remove it.”
There is no fixed data price for now. Anyhow, the operators have to compete within the fixed rate of Tk 0.25 to Tk 2 a minute set by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission for the voice segment.
The new government move to aim at protecting customers from a bill shock when the mobile number portability is introduced. The BTRC also recommended the government to fix a flat rate to protect smaller operators.
The telecom minister said the government would cut down the number of packages as they sometimes confuse the customers.
The minister said that BTRC would work to improve the service quality as the network's ongoing shift towards the fourth-generation data technology has damaged the overall service quality.
“The operators have assured us that the service quality will improve within next month.”
