Consumers protest cancellation of 3-day internet packages

Bangladesh Mobile Consumers Association yesterday demanded the reinstatement of short-term and low-cost internet packages mostly used by low-income and marginal consumers.

The demand came at a rally and subsequent protest in front of the National Press Club.

Addressing the rally, speakers said if the short-term packages are scrapped in the name of reducing the number of products, it will undermine the freedom of customers to choose the package, increasing the cost of internet usage.

On the other hand, it will increase the business of certain mobile operators and hurt the competition in the market, they said.

This comes as the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) recently issued a directive, slated to take effect on October 15, discontinuing internet data packages with a tenure of three and 15 days.

The move has been met with opposition from both consumers and experts, who believe that it restricts consumer choices and imposes higher costs on grassroots, low-income, and young users.

They said consumers should be given the freedom to choose from a variety of options as different users have different needs instead of curtailing the number of packages.

Currently, operators offer 95 different package options.

Cancelling the 3-day internet packages goes against the public interest, said Rajekuzzaman Ratan, assistant general secretary of the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining the accessibility to affordable internet packages, particularly for low-income individuals.

Mohiuddin Ahmed, president of the association, called upon the Prime Minister's ICT adviser to reconsider the BTRC's decision.