1.38m more SIMs, 2.1m net users added in Mar

The country's four cell phone operators registered 1.38 million more mobile SIM (subscriber's identity module) cards and 2.1 million internet subscribers in March.
At the end of March, the total number of mobile phone subscribers reached 182.92 million while the number of internet users stood at 124.89 million, shows data recently released by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
In February, the total number of mobile phone subscribers was 181.54 million and internet subscribers were 122.89 million.
With the new addition of subscribers, overall teledensity has reached 105.85 per cent while mobile broadband is 65.71 per cent.
Around two million new internet subscribers have been registered through the mobile phone operators.
However, bloated 89,000 new subscribers were added through ISP and PSTN, which hasn't been seen in a single month recently. ISP and PSTN usually add around 1,000 to 2,000 subscribers in a month.
Internet Service Provider Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) President Emdadul Hoque said there have been new ISPs added and ISPs in rural area are expanding vigorously.
"Besides, the statistics is the reflection of opening of schools and offices following Covid-19," he added.
Among all, the country's largest mobile phone operator Grameenphone received highest 6,90,000 new subscribers in March, bringing its total to 83.87 million.
At the same time, the third largest operator Banglalink secured 3,90,000 new subscribers, which is the second highest, and its total subscribers reached 38.09 million.
Robi Axiata Limited received 2,90,000 new subscribers taking the total to 54.07 million.
State-owned operator Teletalk secured 1,00,000 new subscribers in March, registering 68.9 million users in total.

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