Following several months of increase by almost 1.0 million each, the number of mobile subscribers dropped by less than half a million (0.49 million) in September, according to latest official data.
As per the statistics issued by Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the total number of mobile customers in the country rose to189.13 million at the end of September from 188.64 million a month ago.
Meanwhile, the country's mobile internet subscribers also fell by 2,000 during the period while the broadband internet service providers (ISP) and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) gained 240,000 in September.
Market leader Grameenphone added only 8,000 users in September while 25,000 subscribers were added in the previous month.
Robi Axiata Limited, the second largest telecom network operator in the country, gained around 290,000 users in September as its total SIM subscribers stood at 57.62 million at the end of the month.
The operator added more than half a million in the previous month.
Third largest mobile operator Banglalink added 130,000 SIM users in September while the number of users added in the previous month was 420,000.
Meanwhile, state-owned operator Teletalk lost 1000 subscribers in September.
On the other hand, the number of total Internet users in the country rose to 132.26 million at the end of September from 131.94 million in August.
During the period, the number of mobile Internet users rose to 119.17 million from 119.79 million, while the number of fixed Internet users increased to 12.49 million from 12.15 million.
Industry insiders said a decrease in the number of multi SIM users was the main cause behind the subscriber loss.
As part of their cost-cutting measures during the high inflation, people are trying to cut back on mobile data use, and are trying to increase dependence on broadband Internet - be it at home or the workplace, said officials of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh.
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