The recovery of the telecom industry is vulnerable to a potential second wave in the winter period, according to a new report.
The GSMA National Dialogues' report, published on Thursday, said the unpredictable course of the pandemic means that the prospects for future growth remain uncertain, undermining the mobile industry's ability to continue to respond to the pandemic and drive forward the vision of Digital Bangladesh.
The report on "Keeping Bangladesh connected: The role of the mobile industry during the COVID-19 pandemic" was launched online where post and telecommunication minister BTRC chairman, and CEOs of mobile operators were present.
The report said although new caseloads declined in Q3, the mobile industry has yet to recover pre-pandemic levels of financial performance.
However, despite an increase in the number of mobile data customers of nearly 8.0 per cent and an increase in average data consumed per customer of 16-20 per cent, data revenue increased by just 4.0 per cent.
"Thus, operators continue to heavily subsidise data consumption," the report said.
The report found that some 21 per cent of mobile internet data increased carried by mobile networks in the second quarter due to an increase in mobile traffic.
Active subscriber numbers (higher), total revenue and EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation) were within 1.5 per cent of Q1 levels, it said.
The GSM Association recommends that the Bangladesh government and the BTRC prioritise some actions, including allowing mobile network operator (MNOs) to deploy last mile connectivity through their own fibre up to respective base transceiver station (BTS).
It recommended ensuring the continuity of digital industry supply chain by streamlining customs and logistical processes and classifying network equipment as essential infrastructure.
It said planning processes should be streamlined to enable rapid approval of the installation of additional capacity on the existing network sites and approval of new sites and installations. This can be addressed by providing access to public sector sites for mobile installation.
The GSMA asked the regulator to publish regulatory guidelines for active infrastructure sharing, allowing fully-fledged active sharing in order to minimise duplication of investment, ensure optimum utilisation of resources and to cater for exceptional demands due to this pandemic.
GSMA recommended rationalising industry taxes, duties and fees on mobile communications, public and data communications services, mobile money services and international gateways to encourage digital communications and transactions during the pandemic.
It called for incorporating a special programme to establish a common mobile network infrastructure to ensure affordable access to digital services for the Covid-19 impacted population and the people or places deprived of such facilities.
Senior advocacy manager of GSMA Lailah Nesbitt-Ahmed presented the report through digital meeting platform.
The CEOs of MNOs said high tax and regulatory challenges were the main barriers to Bangladesh lagging behind in providing affordable internet.
They said there is a lack of coordination among government agencies, which obstructs the growth of the mobile phone industry.
Post and telecommunication minister Mustafa Jabbar admitted that taxation policy and coordination among government agencies are key challenges to the growth of the industry.
He said the government is getting ready to roll out 5G network by the end next year.
He also expressed his commitment to making the internet available to every household as soon as possible.
BTRC chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder said he will sit with CEOs as soon as possible to discuss prospects and challenges of the industry.
