The mobile phone operators' 3G or third-generation network coverage that aids the faster internet service could not be ensured in all big cities of the country till now, though it was promised.
As a result, the customers having no access to the 3G service expressed their dissatisfaction over it. They also seemed confounded by the advertisements being placed by the companies in this connection.
The mobile phone operators had earlier promised to make the 3G coverage available in divisional cities and some potential districts near the capital city by December last.
According to the data available from the companies' websites, the 3G network coverage even did not reach some parts of the capital city Dhaka and the port city Chittagong by December last.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) gave the companies nine months since issuance of licences in September last to make available the 3G network coverage in seven divisional cities.
The telecom companies, however, promised to ensure the 3G service in those areas faster than the regulator's timeline on the 3G rollout. But they failed to keep their promise.
The mobile phone operators-Grameenphone (GP), Banglalink, Robi and Airtel-blamed mainly the political unrest for the failure as the political turmoil impeded their work speed.
 The telcos started launching the 3G service in October, a few days later after receiving the 3G licences.
As per the GP coverage map, it is going to fill up the 3G network vacuum in some parts of Dhaka city. The areas are Khilgaon, Jatrabari, a part of Uttara, Pallabi, Lalbagh, Hazaribag, Mirpur and Mohammadpur.
The areas in Chittagong city which are yet to come under the coverage are Bayazid, Bakalia, Mohra, Salimpur and parts of Halishahar, Chakbazar and Patenga.
The coverage scenario of other operators is no better than that of the top operator GP.
Besides, the third largest telecom company Robi is not competing with the three other rivals by offering 3G packages commercially. Currently, the operator is offering the 3G service free of cost in the form of bonus with the existing 2G service.
Talking about its 3G network coverage, the spokesperson of the GP said his company had so far covered seven divisional cities and some important cities including Narayanganj and Gazipur.
"When it comes to our earlier declaration to cover seven divisional cities by December 2013 and 64 district headquarters by March 2014, we have been able to keep our promise and now we are on the right track to achieve the other milestone despite political unrest and violence around the country," the GP spokesperson told the FE.
Robi Executive Vice President Mahmudur Rahman said they believed in quality service. So, they were establishing the 3G network first and then they would look into the commercial aspect.
Another spokesperson from the Airtel said the Indian company ensured its 3G network coverage in the divisional headquarters of Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet as it committed during the launch.
"By June 2014 we look forward to cover all seven divisional headquarters under the Airtel 3G service blanket," the spokesperson mentioned.
Many big cities yet to come under 3G network coverage
Jamal Uddin | Published: January 30, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
Share if you like