Bangladesh ends March with 73 mn subs
Figures from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) have revealed that the total number of mobile phone subscribers in Bangladesh grew to 72.96 million in March from 71.51 million in February.
Mobile operator GrameenPhone led the market with 31.98 million customers, up from 31.14 million a month earlier.
Banglalink (Orascom Telecom Bangladesh) followed with 20.13 million, down from 20.18 million customers, while Robi (Axiata Bangladesh) ended March with 13.26 million subscribers, up from 12.81 million a month earlier. Airtel Bangladesh saw its customer base grow to 4.61 million customers from 4.37 million, while Citycell’s (PBTL) subscriber base was stable at 1.79 million. Teletalk’s subscriber base dropped to 1.20 million from to 1.22 million in February.
Samsung launches Galaxy Pop smartphone (Bangladesh)
Samsung Mobile has introduced Samsung Galaxy Pop in Bangladesh.
The Samsung Galaxy Pop runs on Android Froyo and features a 3.4-inch LCD screen, 3-megapixel camera, 2GB of memory and 3.5mm ear jack. It offers Google voice actions and Quick Office document viewer powered by a 600MHz processor.
Users of the Pop will also have access to over 150,000 applications from Android market and Samsung applications, while communication is enabled via QuickType by Swype text input.
The smartphone comes equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and Social Hub, which allows users to view their contacts, SMS, IM and e-mail together in one-page layout. Its 1200 mAh battery supports over 9.3 hours of talk time.
Everything Everywhere signs three new MVNO deals (UK)
Everything Everywhere has signed three new MVNO agreements with Priyo Communications, the Phone Co-op and RMmobile, boosting the total number of Everything Everywhere’s MVNO partnerships to 21.
These contracts have been secured through Orange’s mobile virtual network aggregator (MVNA) Transatel.All three MVNOs plan to launch services in the next month.
Priyo will launch a service called Priyomobile targeted specifically at Bangladeshis living in the UK. The Phone Co-Op will offer new and existing customers a range of telecoms services (mobile, line rentals, calls, broadband) all integrated on a single bill. RMmobile aims to provide customers with a one-stop shop for all their communications needs.
Robi introduces re-activation promotion (Bangladesh)
Robi has rolled out a re-activation promotion. Mobile users who have not used their connection between 1st February and 31st March and who re-activate their prepaid account will get 40 minutes of talk time, 40 SMS messages, and a 40% recharge bonus when they top-up US$0.69 or over.
The promotion charges US$0.01 per minute for calls to any number, any time of day.
Grameenphone launches customised Opera Mini browser (Bangladesh)
Grameenphone has introduced Opera Software’s customized Opera Mini browser for its customers.
The Opera Mini browser employs Opera’s servers to compress WebPages up to 90% of their original size before sending them to the phone.
Users can get the latest Opera Mini version customized for their phone by sending an SMS keyword to a special number. Opera Mini users on the Grameenphone network will get free data services for one week, after they download the mobile browser.
Dutch Bangla Bank rolls out m-banking services (Bangladesh)
The Dutch Bangla Bank in partnership with mobile operator CityCell and Banglalink has introduced mobile banking services.
As per reports, the service allows CityCell and Banglalink customers to deposit and withdraw cash, pay utility bills, conduct remittances and balance inquiries.
With this, users will not need to open a traditional bank account with the bank. The Bangladesh Bank has given approval to ten private banks to introduce mobile banking services. The Dutch Bangla Bank is the first private bank to launch m-banking in Bangladesh.
Doha Bank rolls out mobile banking service (Qatar)
Doha Bank has rolled out a mobile banking service. The tool will initially be available for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android mobile devices.
The service allows customers to access their bank accounts details, make instant transfer of funds between own accounts or to any registered third party beneficiaries and pay registered utility and credit card bills.
As a service launch promotion, Doha Bank will offer 4 iPhone 4 16GB handsets to customers who subscribe to its m-banking service during the initial months of the launching phase in a bi-weekly draw. Doha Bank will offer immediate remittances via mobile banking to 13 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Yemen.
The bank’s mobile banking application for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android is now available online for free download. Once the application has been installed onto the device, Doha Bank customers can log in to their banking accounts and carry out transactions directly from their mobile phones.
iPhone users can download the free Doha iPhone application from the Doha page at Apple store. The BlackBerry and Android application is available for free download at the Doha Bank corporate website.
BTRC to audit mobile operators (Bangladesh)
The Bangladesh telecommunications regulator, BTRC is planning to audit mobile operators and has already appointed two firms for the project.
As per BTRC official, the first two operators to be scrutinized by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) are Grameenphone and Banglalink.
The move comes as the operators, along with Roby and Citycell, have to renew their licences this year. According to Grameenphone’s Chief Corporate Officer, the company has no problems with the audit as it complies with the laws. Zakiul Islam, director of Banglalink, also welcomed the regulator’s move.
Robi introduces SMS, MMS offer (Bangladesh)
Robi has introduced an on-net SMS offer. The package is available to prepaid customers until March 31 and costs US$0.06 for one SMS and US$0.06 for 10 MMS messages too. The package is valid for one day.
Zain Kuwait slashes call charges to Bangladesh
Zain Kuwait announced that it will be offering a 50% discount on all SMS messages to Bangladesh. the operator will also be offering a 20% discount on international calls to Bangladesh as they celebrate Independence Day on March 26.
The offer applies for one day only for both postpaid and prepaid customers.
