In March, the number of internet users in Bangladesh increased, owing to the increased use of mobile data and broadband services for educational, entertainment, and professional uses, as the Covid-19 situation improved.
According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s latest figures, the number of internet users increased 7.31 percent year on year in March to reach 12.48 crore (BTRC). On a month-over-month basis, the increase was 1.71 percent, implying that there were nearly 21 lakh more internet users in March than in February. Mobile internet users accounted for around 13 lakh of the 21 lakh new customers, bringing their overall number to 11.39 crore, while broadband users climbed by 8 lakh to 1.09 crore.
From November 2021 to January this year, network operators lost over 74 lakh customers, compared to numbers from last October, when the number of mobile internet users reached an all-time high of 11.91 crores. Mobile internet usage increased in March after operators recruited 25 lakh, new members, in February. According to the BTRC, smartphones accounted for 40.24 percent of locally produced mobile phones in March, up from 33.55 percent in January.
According to Alam, smartphone penetration in the country has increased to 52% from 47% at the end of last year. This suggests that at least 52 people out of every 100 people own a phone. However, Jabbar, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, stated that network operators have yet to provide users with satisfactory internet services.
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