Science and Technology Desk: BTRC published mobile data package guidelines for all operators. Even if there is no internet balance on the mobile, from now on the customer can use Facebook and Messenger apps only through text. Besides, free internet browsing facility has been launched in Facebook Discovery Browser. Through this browser, users can access text-based information such as Ministry of Education's Facebook page, SSC and HSC exam preparation instructions, other education and health related information and stay connected to various e-services within the free data limit.

Facebook and Messenger

On the other hand, mobile data package guidelines have been published for all operators, which will be followed by all operators from March 1, 2022. According to the guidelines, any operator can operate a maximum of 85 packages at a time.

The auspicious inauguration of the said services was held at BTRC's main conference room today on Tuesday afternoon. BTRC chairman Shyam Sundar Sikdar presided over this and Post and Telecommunication Minister Mostafa Jabbar was present as the chief guest and Post and Telecommunication Department Secretary Md. Khalilur Rahman was present as a special guest.

In the beginning, the Director General of Systems and Services Department of BTRC Br. J. Md. Nasim Parvez gave a detailed presentation on data package guidelines and the use of free Facebook and Messenger.

In the event, it was informed that all the mobile operators of the country will have three types of packages including (1) regular package (2) customer-centric special package (3) research and development package. The maximum number of an operator's regular and customer-centric special packages will be 85. However, the number of regular or customer-centric special packages cannot exceed 50 individually. Mobile phone operators can use a maximum of 10 packages for research and development work. The minimum difference between the two packages to determine the package difference will be 100 MB data or 10 minutes talk time or both. All packages should expire as 03/07/15/30 days.

The minimum shelf life of any regular package in the market shall be one month after launch. After the launch of any customer centric special package, the minimum validity period of the said package shall be seven days. In this case, the mobile operators can introduce a new customer-centric special package in place of the canceled package after 15 days of canceling the said customer-centric special package. The minimum validity period of any research and development package from the mobile operator will be seven days after launch. However, there will be an opportunity to launch such packages twice a month i.e. after 15 days.

Also, unused data at the end of a customer's data package will be carried forward if the customer purchases the same data package (with a different period) before the expiry of the package. Commission approved regular and CCSP packages can be paid by the operators on package bonus (telecom service: data, talk time, SMS) if customers purchase using specific apps/digital platforms/operator approved channels of the mobile operator. However, the value of the package with bonus cannot be negative from the cost of making the package.

The list of all regular packages (package ID and price) provided by the mobile operator should be published on the respective mobile operator's website for the convenience of the customer. Every subscriber has to provide monthly recharge and cost information by the operator through SMS (in Bengali) and mobile operator's billing portal. However, depending on the customer's needs, it should be provided through email. Operator can provide free data or floor pies (when specified) if desired and not more than 3 package related promotional SMS per day can be provided by operator to a subscriber.

Stating that mobile connectivity is the most important for the people, the Honorable Minister of Posts and Telecommunication Department, Mustafa Jabbar said, to increase the connectivity of the people, one country one rate has been introduced in broadband internet for the whole country and 4G network has been launched in remote areas. He also said that operators should send all kinds of messages to customers in Bengal by March.

Stating that Facebook is currently cooperating with Bangladesh, the Minister said, BTRC is working with Facebook to control communal and religious provocative pictures, videos and posts.

Md. Khalilur Rahman of Post and Telecommunication Department said in the event that the launch of free Facebook and Messenger will give people who are isolated from the Internet an opportunity to stay connected to the network. Due to the advancement of technology, government offices are now able to serve people easily and quickly.

Grameenphone CEO Azman, Riyaz Rashid, Acting CEO of Robi, Taimur Rahman, Acting CEO of Banglalink, Md Sahab Uddin, Managing Director of Teletalk, Tom C. Varges, Head of Connectivity and Access Policy of Facebook's Asia Pacific region spoke at the event.

BTRC Chairman Shyam Sundar Sikdar highlighted the various activities of BTRC in the last 10 months by stating that BTRC is taking various initiatives to ensure quality of service. During this time, he resolved complications related to VAT collection by operators and deduction of customer's money through Tivas, 4G wave auction, introduction of broadband one country one rate service across the country, implementation of NEIR for mobile handset registration, registration of Facebook and YouTube with the National Board of Revenue and cyber monitoring of social media. He mentioned various activities including formation of security cell.

Bangladesh currently has 5.2 crore Facebook users and Bangladesh ranks 10th as the country with the highest number of Facebook users. The number of unique mobile users is approximately 10 crores ie one customer uses Facebook against every two mobile customers. The total number of Messenger users in the country is 3 crore 75 lakh 27 thousand (according to 2020 data).