COSTLIEST AMONG ALL OPERATORS

GP rejoinder, our reply

Grameenphone (GP), a major mobile phone operator in Bangladesh, has sent a rejoinder to the story headlined “GP costliest among all operators” published on 28 August 2017 in The Independent.

In the rejoinder GP says the tone of the report and its implication seems to be motivated against Grameenphone since the report is based on unsubstantiated information. Had the report been developed impartially your reporter would have seen that the base tariffs for all operators are not only at par, Grameenphone’s base tariff may, in fact be slightly lower.

Moreover, all operators have a rate cutter tariff of 1 paisa/sec (save for one which offers ½ paisa/sec on-net). The minute packs offered by all operators are also at par with each other, given the competitive nature of our business where it would not be possible for any single operator to dominate through pricing. When contacted we responded by saying that ‘GP call rates remain within the tariff circuit stipulated by the BTRC and average prices can vary depending on any bundle offer selected by the customer.’

“We would like to also point out that our publicly available APPM (average price per minute) rate, reported during our last quarterly results announcement, is 65 paisa; which would suggest that your bar chart should indicate that GP rates are actually the lowest in the market, but within the approved BTRC tariff circuit.

Finally, you will agree that our lower APPM figure would further suggest that the majority of our customers enjoy an even lower call rate”.

Our reply:

We published the report based on the information provided by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) sources, which indicates that GP charges the highest prices for voice calls. So, GP’s claim that the tone of the report is motivated is not true. Rather the report is based on substantiated information.

Even the last commission meeting of the BTRC discussed the issue and to have a real picture of GP’s rate, one of the officials made a call from the GP to another operator, which cost near about Tk 2.00 a minute.

The cost was shown to the members of the commission.

One of the BTRC commissioners told The Independent that getting the average on-net and off-net call prices was very simple as all operators have to submit their call selling volumes and the revenues to the commission, which makes an average price of on-net and off-net calls.

According to BTRC sources, recent monthly data show GP’s average off-net call charge was Tk1.30 per minute. The GP-to-GP on-net call charge is Tk 0.45 per minute.

The state-owned company TeleTalk charges the lowest price for its customers—Tk 0.80 for each minute of off-net calls—and for on-net calls, it charges Tk 0.35.

The second largest operator—Robi Axiata—charges Tk 0.90 for each off-net call and Tk 0.39 for each on-net call, while Banglalink (BL) takes Tk 0.90 per minute as off-net call charge and Tk 0.39 as on-net call charge.

AirTel, which recently merged with Robi, used to take Tk 0.80 to Tk 0.90 per minute for each off-net call charge and Tk 0.35 for each on-net call.

Sources said BTRC sent a proposal to the telecom ministry last month to increase the minimum call price, which mentioned that GP was charging a high call price among the operators.

The package prices are published on the GP website. According to the website of GP, the Nischinto package offers Tk 1.26 per minute to GP-GP and GP-to-other operators.

Also, Bondhu and Djuice packages offer Tk 1.65 per minute for GP-GP or GP to any other operator.

There is also an offer of one paisa per second, with some conditions, on the website.

BTRC officials said it does not mean that all the subscribers are getting the lowest rate but that corporate and other valuable customers have to bear a higher cost for voice calls.

Related News:

Grameenphone reluctant to provide MNP services to subscribers (12-06-2015)

DRU accuses GP of ‘cheating’ (23-06-2015)

GP seeks until Tuesday to fix problem (05-07-2015)

VIPs’ SIM cards cloned (17-09-2015)

BTRC to start auditing GP on October 20 (07-10-2015)

GP under renewed fire from telecoms minister (20-10-2015)

GP deprives railways of Tk 81cr a year: CAG (05-01-2016)

BTRC seeks explanation from GP, ADN, Agni (04-04-2016)

Five GP staff among 11 arrested over SIM cloning (20-04-2016)

GP denies, CID remains firm (21-04-2016)

Grameenphone ‘Go Broadband’ illegal (31-05-16)

BTRC cancels GP-Sonali deal (24-06-16)

BTRC brings allegation against audit firm (28-07-16)

GP’s illegal business (18-06-2015)

GP ghost bills (28-06-2015)

NBR seeks bank statements of Grammeenphone (04-08-2015)

Telcos ride on fake ID cards (20-09-2015)

Ministers vent spleen on GP service  (15-10-2015)

GP under ACC probe (27-11-2015)

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GP clarification (05-04-2016)

GP, ADN, Agni submit explanation (20-04-2016)

BTRC seeks explanation from GP, ADN, Agni again (30-04-2016)

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BTRC directs GP to deposit fine TK 30cr in next 10 days (30-01-17)

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Data push GP revenue up (24-04-17)

GP costliest among all operators (28-07-17)

COSTLIEST AMONG ALL OPERATORS

GP rejoinder, our reply

Grameenphone (GP), a major mobile phone operator in Bangladesh, has sent a rejoinder to the story headlined GP costliest among all operators published on 28 August 2017 in The Independent. In the rejoinder GP says the tone of the report and its implication seems to be motivated against Grameenphone since the report is based on unsubstantiated information. Had the report been developed impartially your reporter would have seen that the base tariffs for all operators are not only at par, Grameenphones base tariff may, in fact be slightly lower. Moreover, all operators have a rate cutter tariff of 1 paisa/sec (save for one which offers paisa/sec on-net). The minute packs offered by all operators are also at par with each other, given the competitive nature of our business where it would not be possible for any single operator to dominate through pricing. When contacted we responded by saying that GP call rates remain within the tariff circuit stipulated by the BTRC and average prices can vary depending on any bundle offer selected by the customer. We would like to also point out that our publicly available APPM (average price per minute) rate, reported during our last quarterly results announcement, is 65 paisa; which would suggest that your bar chart should indicate that GP rates are actually the lowest in the market, but within the approved BTRC tariff circuit. Finally, you will agree that our lower APPM figure would further suggest that the majority of our customers enjoy an even lower call rate. Our reply: We published the report based on the information provided by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) sources, which indicates that GP charges the highest prices for voice calls. So, GPs claim that the tone of the report is motivated is not true. Rather the report is based on substantiated information. Even the last commission meeting of the BTRC discussed the issue and to have a real picture of GPs rate, one of the officials made a call from the GP to another operator, which cost near about Tk 2.00 a minute. The cost was shown to the members of the commission. One of the BTRC commissioners told The Independent that getting the average on-net and off-net call prices was very simple as all operators have to submit their call selling volumes and the revenues to the commission, which makes an average price of on-net and off-net calls. According to BTRC sources, recent monthly data show GPs average off-net call charge was Tk1.30 per minute. The GP-to-GP on-net call charge is Tk 0.45 per minute. The state-owned company TeleTalk charges the lowest price for its customersTk 0.80 for each minute of off-net callsand for on-net calls, it charges Tk 0.35. The second largest operatorRobi Axiatacharges Tk 0.90 for each off-net call and Tk 0.39 for each on-net call, while Banglalink (BL) takes Tk 0.90 per minute as off-net call charge and Tk 0.39 as on-net call charge. AirTel, which recently merged with Robi, used to take Tk 0.80 to Tk 0.90 per minute for each off-net call charge and Tk 0.35 for each on-net call. Sources said BTRC sent a proposal to the telecom ministry last month to increase the minimum call price, which mentioned that GP was charging a high call price among the operators. The package prices are published on the GP website. According to the website of GP, the Nischinto package offers Tk 1.26 per minute to GP-GP and GP-to-other operators. Also, Bondhu and Djuice packages offer Tk 1.65 per minute for GP-GP or GP to any other operator. There is also an offer of one paisa per second, with some conditions, on the website. BTRC officials said it does not mean that all the subscribers are getting the lowest rate but that corporate and other valuable customers have to bear a higher cost for voice calls. Related News: Grameenphone reluctant to provide MNP services to subscribers(12-06-2015) DRU accuses GP of cheating(23-06-2015) GP seeks until Tuesday to fix problem(05-07-2015) VIPs SIM cards cloned(17-09-2015) BTRC to start auditing GP on October 20(07-10-2015) GP under renewed fire from telecoms minister(20-10-2015) GP deprives railways of Tk 81cr a year: CAG(05-01-2016) BTRC seeks explanation from GP, ADN, Agni(04-04-2016) Five GP staff among 11 arrested over SIM cloning(20-04-2016) GP denies, CID remains firm(21-04-2016) Grameenphone Go Broadband illegal(31-05-16) BTRC cancels GP-Sonali deal(24-06-16) BTRC brings allegation against audit firm(28-07-16) GPs illegal business(18-06-2015) GP ghost bills(28-06-2015) NBR seeks bank statements of Grammeenphone(04-08-2015) Telcos ride on fake ID cards(20-09-2015) Ministers vent spleen on GP service(15-10-2015) GP under ACC probe(27-11-2015) BTRC orders GP not to hinder audit process(11-02-2016) GP clarification(05-04-2016) GP, ADN, Agni submit explanation(20-04-2016) BTRC seeks explanation from GP, ADN, Agni again(30-04-2016) GP, Airtel to be fine(10-06-16) BTRC issues show cause notice on GP(14-07-16) BTRC fines GP TK 30cr(31-10-16) GP sponsorships breach rules: Telenor(15-12-16) GP has to pay Tk 30cr fine, says BTRC chief(27-12-17) GP gains, others lose revenue(24-01-17) BTRC rejects GP plea for revising Tk 30cr fine(26-01-17) BTRC directs GP to deposit fine TK 30cr in next 10 days(30-01-17) GP fined Tk 2.5 lakh for false ad(14-02-17) Auditing of GP BTRC extends deadline for third time(21-03-17) 22 GP officials sued over fraud in Ctg(30-03-17) BTRC fails to inform lawyer about steps taken(19-04-17) Data push GP revenue up(24-04-17) GP costliest among all operators (28-07-17)