Banglalink, the third largest mobile operator in Bangladesh, has witnessed a sharp rise in data uses in the second quarter of 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Data revenue of the telecom operator posted a 30.3% growth to Tk2.9 billion as it continued monetizing its investments in 4G capacity and focusing on selected digital services, according to a financial report of the company.
Despite having a sharp rise in data uses, the mobile operator's total revenue in Q2 of 2020 fell by 3.9% to Tk11.1 billion year on year, it said.
Its enhanced 4G network was a significant enabler of the 79.2% increase in data usage to 2,240 megabyte (MB) recorded in the quarter, supported by accelerated 4G penetration which resulted in 3.3% growth in data customers to 21.8 million.
Screenshot taken from the virtual press conference on August 10, 2020 | Courtesy
Erik Aas, chief executive officer (CEO) of Banglalink, made the announcement at a virtual press conference on Monday.
"Banglalink has maintained its solid business momentum supported by impressive performance in the digital business segment despite the challenges emerging from the coronavirus outbreak," he said.
The CEO also shared his views on Banglalink's role during the pandemic, its key undertakings, customers' benefits, and other related issues with the journalists.
As part of its increased focus on embracing digital services, Banglalink actively promoted the use of digital channels to facilitate top-ups, account management, and the adoption of additional services, said the mobile operator.
As a result, the user base of the Banglalink self-care app increased by 58% during the second quarter compared to the first quarter in the current year while its video streaming app "Toffee" saw a 62% uplift in its user numbers.
In line with the general industry trend resulting from the coronavirus outbreak, Banglalink experienced a decline in its customers' base and total revenue in Q2 though there were impressive growth in data customers' base and data revenue, he added.
Banglalink’s Revenue in Q2 of 2020
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Erik said: "We have ramped up our efforts to provide customers with additional facilities amid recent challenges posed by the pandemic, cyclone, floods etc. As part of our prompt response to the pandemic, we had to implement the 'home office' work model to make sure that our employees stay safe and keep working to provide uninterrupted services.
"It is really encouraging to see our earnest efforts yielding positive results, especially in the digital business segment. Our digital endeavors have received the recognition from the recent Ookla award.
"It was given for being the fastest mobile network in the country for Q1-Q2 2020, which is the result of our technological advancement such as the expansion of 4G network and more spectrums per customer.
"We would like to dedicate it to our valued customers, whose consistent support always inspires us to move forward as a digital service provider," he added.
Banglalink Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer Taimur Rahman, Chief Financial Officer Cem Velipasaoglu, Sales and Distribution Director Mohammad Zubayed Ul Islam, and other top management members of the organization also participated in the virtual press conference.
