The number of mobile subscribers in Bangladesh decreased by 77 lakh from July 2024 to January 2025, while the number of mobile internet users declined by 1.1 crore during this period, according to data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
Mobile phone operators and industry experts stated that the mobile users deactivated their SIM cards due to major political shift on August 5, 2024 and hike in supplementary duty on mobile phone calls and internet services.
They said that the departure of many Awami League leaders and activists from the country contributed to such decline in mobile subscribers.
The total number of mobile users dropped to 18.65 crore in January 2025 from 19.42 crore in July 2024. Similarly, the number of mobile internet users fell to 13 crore in January from 14.10 crore in July 2024.
The total number of mobile subscribers is calculated by taking the total number of new SIM cards bought and then subtracting the number of SIM cards that have had not been used for more than 18 months and have been deactivated.
Shahed Alam, chief corporate and regulatory officer of Robi Axiata, said that they observed a significant decline in their customer base following the internet shutdowns in July 2024, with a substantial portion of users not returning to their network.
鈥楾he prevailing inflationary pressures have led consumers to reassess their expenditures, resulting in many opting to discontinue secondary SIM cards. Furthermore, the increase in SIM card taxation in 2024 has adversely affected our efforts to acquire new subscribers, as smaller operators struggle to subsidize these additional costs,鈥� he said.
He further stated that these factors have collectively created a stagnant environment in the telecommunications sector, affecting both service providers and customers.
Mobile operators reported that many consumers were unwilling to spend extra on internet services as they were struggling to afford essential items. Additionally, the number of users with multiple SIMs decreased due to rising costs.
BM Mainul Hossain, director of the Institute of Information Technology at the University of Dhaka, told 抖阴精品 that many users discontinued their SIM cards due to safety concerns after the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh.
Through a student-led mass uprising in July 2024, the then-ruling Awami League government was ousted after 15 years in power.
鈥楤oth political and economic factors have played a role in the decline of internet and mobile users,鈥� he said.
He added that the regulatory commission should conduct necessary surveys and investigations to assess whether previous data were inaccurate, as the declining numbers would have a significant impact on Bangladesh鈥檚 economy.
The ousted Awami League government had increased the supplementary duty on mobile phone services by 5 per cent, raising it to 20 per cent in the 2024-25 financial year budget.
Currently, the total tax burden, including supplementary duty, value-added tax and surcharge, exceeds 39 per cent.
Along with increased government taxation, mobile operators have also raised service prices. The cost of SIM cards increased by Tk 100, bringing the total price to Tk 300 in FY25.
Among the operators, Banglalink saw the biggest decline, losing 45 lakh users and dropping to a user base of 3.90 crore in January from 4.35 crore in July 2024.
Grameenphone lost 7 lakh users, bringing its total user base down to 8.45 crore from 8.52 crore.
Meanwhile, Robi Axiata lost 25 lakh users, reducing its user base to 5.65 crore from 5.89 crore.
