They wonder why the unused money is not returned with the next recharge after the expiry of a package
Published : 09 May 2024, 02:05 AM
Angry customers and mobile recharge retailers vented their frustrations with networks for consuming unused money or minutes after the expiry of packages.
They turned out in a public hearing organised by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission in Dhaka on Wednesday, alleging that the operators are duping the customers.
“Does the unused money vanish after the expiry of a package? Why isn't it returned on the next recharge?’ asked Aminul Islam Bulu, president of Bangladesh Mobile Recharge Association.
He also wondered how the government wishes to create a cashless society if it cannot ensure security for the mobile balance of tens of millions of customers.
BTRC Chairman Mohiuddin Ahmed and State Minister Telecommunication and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak heard the complaints and addressed some of the grievances on the spot.
Retailers’ leader Bulu bought a Tk 19 Banglalink recharge scratch card with two days of lifetime, Robi with 24 hours, Airtel three days, and Grameenphone three days.
“My question is: why must these have an expiry date?” he said and demanded that the authorities end such a billing system.
He said the mobile networks are taking away even a beggar’s money. “It’s unbearable!”
Mohiuddin Ahmed, president of the Mobile Phone Users Association, raised the same question.
“Customers are not getting their unused balance back. They [operators] are taking away this money. It’s totally illegal. It’s like daylight robbery,” he said.
Brig Gen Khalil-Ur-Rahman, director general of systems and services at the BTRC, said they warned an operator against flushing out unused balance and sat with the telecom firms on May 12 and 13.
“We want to make specific guidelines on the matter,” he said.
The guidelines will specify minimum and maximum balance, expiry dates, and whether unused balance can be flushed out, he said.
“We hope to get a solution through discussions,” Khalil said.
He also said the internet data packages may be readjusted in line with an ongoing survey after the prices and types of packages had been fixed in October.