Various government measures to stop illegal VoIP (voice over internet protocol) business have fallen flat, leading to a huge loss of revenue to the telecom sector regular and local mobile phone operators.
Several VoIP traders were arrested on different occasions but the real culprits behind the trade are still at large.
Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumer Association president Mohiuddin Ahmed told Bangladesh Post, “In this era, when such illegal activities are expected to be eliminated from the country, why are they rising needs to investigate deeply. There are almost 400 calling apps that are being widely used through the internet, what the government is getting and what is legal, no one can answer. However, strong investigation and punishment should be ensured for those who are behind this.”
On September 14, a foreigner was held at HazratShahjalal International Airport (HSIA) with 3,000 strange cards. He was on his way to Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates with the cards. Later it was found out that the cards were made by an illegal VoIP cycle.
Illegal VoIP calls have reduced the number of legitimate calls from abroad by about 75 percent. Almost all the SIMs used in illegal calls belong to the official mobile phone operator Teletalk.
The investigation by telecom regulator – Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) – also found the collusion of some Teletalk officials in the illegal VoIP business. The investigation report has also recommended the ministry take action against them.
In February this year, RAB and BTRC raided the New Market, Turag, and Shah Ali police stations in Mirpur and seized 3,500 SIMs used in illegal VoIP, all of which belonged to Teletalk. Two thousand Teletalk SIMs were recovered in an illegal anti-VoIP operation in the capital’s Mohammadpur in September. RAB said that such transactions may have taken place in many more houses in Dhaka.
The government does not get revenue if international calls are made through low-cost internet gateway avoiding government-approved gateways. Although the government has introduced a SIM registration system, illegal VoIP is not being stopped. The BTRC observation said that operators and their agents sell SIMs illegally.
Ankit Sureka, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability, Banglalink told Bangladesh Post, “Being a compliant company, Banglalink has a zero tolerance policy against any irregularities. As per BTRC’s instructions, Banglalink follows all the rules and regulations to detect and deactivate illegal VOIPs. On top of that, we also implemented much more stringent rules to stop any irregularities. We are closely working with BTRC and will follow their guidance."
According to BTRC data, retailers are selling huge amounts of SIMs without verification and selection with the help of the concerned department of Teletalk. Although the investigation found the truth, their list has been sent to the Ministry of Telecommunications as they do not have the authority to take action against the government institutions.
Telecom Expert TIM Nurul Kabir told Bangladesh Post, “Due to rise of VoIPs, the government is losing huge amount of revenue. Different government organisaitons, ministry who are supposed to monitor such illegal moves, it’s their irresponsibility. There is a lack of proper monitoring, which should be intensified.”
Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Mustafa Jabbar told the media, “In view of the report given by BTRC, action is being taken after conducting an administrative investigation.”
According to the BTRC, the number of foreign calls has decreased by an average of 120 million minutes per day to 19.8 million minutes. Calls have also decreased due to the use of WhatsApp, imo, and other internet platforms. As a result, revenue has come down to the bottom.
