BTRC withholds GP e-SIM service

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) instructed Grameenphone (GP) to refrain from launching e-SIM service, citing non-compliance with the regulatory rules.

“The BTRC withheld the launching of GP’s e-SIM service until its next directive as the operator did not take prior approval from the regulator,” BTRC Vice Chairman Subrata Roy Maitra told The Business Post on Thursday.

The eSIM facility was scheduled to be launched on March 7.

“We are not against the technology but this one is still in research and development level. Besides, we have not been informed properly about the service,” he said, adding that the commission would take further decision after scrutinising it.

As it is a completely new technology in Bangladesh, there might have been issues with the revenue board as it may impact tax and security system, he added.

Subrata Roy also disclosed that the commission would hold a meeting with GP authorities to settle the issue.

Grameenphone, the largest operator, was scheduled to launch eSIM on March 7, for the first time in the country.

According to Grameenphone, eSIM will be embedded in a mobile device that allows users to connect with GP operator of choice without having the need to purchase a physical SIM Card.

It functions just like a regular SIM but does not require a physical card, and only works on devices with pre-installed e-SIM support.

It also claimed that the BTRC had approved eSIM for operators a couple of months ago.

E-SIM service is nothing new in many countries. Many operators worldwide are offering eSIM. With the technology, subscribers can store and load multiple SIM without needing a physical one.

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