Not a single operator in the country can ensure 4G mobile data services outside Dhaka city, says the telecoms regulator.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) published a report on Wednesday (Apr 3), where it said that minimum download speed of 7 mbps could not be ensured by the top three mobile operators — Grameenphone (GP), Robi and Banglalink — outside the capital.
The report said that the comprehensive quality of service, covering internet speed, service coverage, call setup success rate and call drop rate, was measured through tests conducted in four administrative divisions.
The tests were conducted between January and February in 18 districts of Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal and Rangpur divisions.
In terms of 4G data speed, mobile operators are offering worst quality of 4G service in Barishal division, say the BTRC report.
Largest operator GP’s average speed for 4G data service stood at 5.1 mbps which was 4.89 mbps for Robi and 3.56 mbps for Banglalink, says the BTRC report.
The operators, however, ensured the minimum download speed of 3 mbps for 3G services.
State-run Teletalk was excluded from the test as it is yet to launch 4G services outside Dhaka. It, however, failed to ensure the minimum download speed for 3G services during the tests.
All the four operators also failed in the category of call setup time, which needs to generate a call successfully within 7 seconds.
“The tests gave the Commission a clear idea of the quality of service provided by operators in several regions of the country, which will help to chalk out policies to ensure better service for users,” BTRC Senior Assistant Director Zakir Hossain Khan told Bangla Tribune.