Internet, mobile subscriptions rise modestly in July: BTRC

Bangladesh's telecom sector posted modest growth in July this year as both internet and mobile subscriptions increased, although the numbers remain below the highs recorded a year earlier, according to fresh data released by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

The country's total internet subscribers reached 135.99 million in July, up from 133.61 million in June. Of them, mobile internet users rose to 121.53 million, while fixed-line subscribers through ISPs and PSTN providers stood at 14.46 million, showing little change. This represents a 1.8 per cent monthly increase and a gain of nearly six million users since the beginning of the year.

Mobile phone subscriptions also showed an upward trend. The total number of active SIMs climbed to 188.87 million in July from 188.45 million in June. Market leader Grameenphone added 130,000 new subscribers, reaching 86.64 million, while Robi Axiata grew to 57.54 million and Banglalink to 38.08 million. State-owned Teletalk saw only a marginal rise, with subscriptions at 6.61 million.

Despite the recovery, the overall subscriber base has yet to return to the record levels seen in mid-2024. In July last year, Bangladesh had 141.05 million internet users and 194.26 million mobile subscribers. A combination of economic pressures, higher service costs, and shifting consumer usage patterns has contributed to the slowdown over the past twelve months.

Industry analysts note that the recent rebound, particularly in mobile internet, points to resilient demand as operators push network expansion and competitive data offers. However, broadband connections remain stuck at around 14 million.

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