BTRC asks telecom operators to stop services to Rohingya

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) directed telecom operators not to offer any mobile phone service to the Rohingya refugees, and stop their services around the Rohingya camps.

BTRC on Monday directed to stop selling SIMs (subscriber identification modules) among the Rohingya refugees and take proper action so that no Rohingya can use mobile connections, a BTRC official confirmed.

The telecom regulator asked mobile operators to submit development report about the issue within the next seven days, the letter reads.

The notice was issued following allegations of providing mobile phone services to Rohingya through selling of SIM cards by mobile phone operators defying a government ban.

The government imposed a ban on selling of SIM cards to Rohingya, who fled Myanmar amid persecution there by military forces.

BTRC also reiterated the same directive they issued in October last year asking all mobile operators to restrict their networks in the Bangladesh-Myanmar border areas as well as block networks in and around Rohingya camps.

Officials said following the directive, mobile operators weakened their networks in the border areas along with Myanmar, which include Cox's Bazar and Bandarban.

Soon afterwards, complaints from subscribers in the areas started to pour in about the poor network quality.

Later, mobile operators reinstated the network in the border area.

[email protected]