In Dhaka, laborers and street vendors often gather around smartphones to play ludo, reflecting the growing integration of internet access into daily life. As of November 2023, 10.05 crore people in Bangladesh use 4G SIMs, representing 55% of mobile users. The number of internet users in Bangladesh has surged from 36 lakh in 2008 to nearly 11.85 crore by 2023. This shift towards internet use has led to a decline in traditional voice calls, with more people opting for app-based communication. Telecom operators face challenges balancing revenue growth with the rising demand for data.
Despite this, data consumption outpaces revenue growth, necessitating substantial investments in infrastructure and spectrum licenses, which cost over $2.15 billion in 2021-2022. Traditional voice call rates have dropped significantly, from Tk 10 per minute in the early 1990s to less than Tk 2 today, but low smartphone penetration, especially in rural areas, keeps traditional calls relevant.
Source for more details:
