Robi Axiata Limited, a leading mobile phone operator in the country, Tuesday sought the government intervention to control the use of the popular mobile apps ---Viber and WhatsApp-to earn its targetted revenue from the telephony sector.
Viber and WhatsApp are the two mobile applications that allow users to make phone calls and send text messages to all other users of the similar application for free, only having internet connection.
"If the government won't take necessary measures, of course it will be damaging for the country's mobile phone operators and the government as well, while the operators share their fixed percentage of their earnings," said Robi's Chief Operating Officer Mahtabuddin Ahmed.
He made the comment while announcing the company's fresh development of the simplified international roaming service for its customers at a city hotel Tuesday.
Chief Technology Officer AKM Morshed and Executive Vice President Md Adil Hossain, among others, addressed the function.
He, however, said they recently observed that the usages of such sophisticated software in Bangladesh is limited still now.
"Few days back, the government had put ban on using Viber and WhatsApp that helped us observing the exact situation," he said adding that because of such applications, the sector has already been experiencing negative impact.
"However, the impact isn't still alarming in the country," he noted.
As part of the service simplification initiative, Robi now offers single rate what it claims simple and affordable rates in 100 countries without selecting particular operator.
In addition, the operator also offering daily data roaming pack in 72 countries. To avail the offer, the customers need to subscribe the company's roaming services by dialing *140*10*3#.
International roaming is a service which enables person use the same cellphone number at home and abroad. Speaking at the event Mr Ahmed said presently a large number of Bangladeshi people are travelling abroad for various purposes.
"We believe that our subscribers will find our unique service offering the best solution for their mobile lifestyle", Mr Ahmed said adding that customers will get the freedom to choose any operator in any of the 100 countries with the single rate.
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Robi seeks govt’s intervention to control Viber, WhatsApp
FE Report | Published: February 18, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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