Banglalink maintains solid business in Q2

Mobile phone operator, Banglalink has maintained solid business at quarter two (Q2) in 2020 buoyed by digital business despite challenges onslaught of Corona virus outbreak.

Banglalink Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Erik Aas made the announcement today at a virtual press conference, saying “We have ramped up our efforts to provide customers with additional facilities amid recent challenges posed by the pandemic, cyclone, floods etc.”

He also shared his views on the operator’s role during the pandemic, such as key undertakings, customers’ benefits and other related issues.

Banglalink registered 30.3 percent year-on-year (YoY) data revenue growth in Q2, 2020 which claimed as the outcome of continued investment in 4G network.

It said enhanced 4G network enabled Banglalink to achieve 79.2 percent YoY increase in data usage supported by accelerated 4G penetration which resulted in 3.3 percent YoY growth in data customers during the quarter.

Banglalink, however, is abstained of releasing details of business update such as revenue and others from the beginning on the ground of disclosure policy, although remaining two private operators –Grameenphone and Robi—have not been doing so.

As part of Banglalink’s increased focus in embracing digital services, the operator said it actively promoted use of digital channels to facilitate top-ups, account management and the adoption of additional services which pushed up the user base of its self-care app by 58 percent in Q2 compared to Q1 while video streaming app “Toffee” saw a 62 percent uplift in terms of user numbers.

But, in line with industry trend resulting from virus outbreak, Banglalink experienced decline in its customer base and total revenue in Q2 although there was impressive growth in data customer base and data revenue.

Erik Aas said “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 for providing uninterrupted services and it is really encouraging to see our earnest efforts yielding positive results, especially in the digital business segment.”

“Our digital endeavors have received recognition from recent Ookla award and 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 expansion of 4G network and more spectrum per customer,” he added.

Aas highlighted some of initiatives taken by Banglalink during the pandemic such as setting up free Corona hotline numbers, launching e-learning facilities through “Teach It” platform, introducing virtual internship and seminars for university students and distributing relief among affected households in association with Bangladesh Sena Kalyan Sangstha and Bangladesh Army.

Banglalink CEO welcomed Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s initiative to implement the Significant Market Power (SMP) guidelines, which he believes as a positive step towards establishing a level playing field in the industry.