World Consumer Rights Day: How Mobile Operators Exploit Bangladeshi Consumers
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Mustafa Mahmud Hussain??? /? The author is a telecom policy analyst
March 15 marks World Consumer Rights Day, a time to highlight unfair market practices and advocate for stronger consumer protections. In Bangladesh, mobile operators—Grameenphone, Robi, and Banglalink—exploit consumers through complex packages, hidden charges, and manipulative pricing tactics. The lack of regulatory enforcement allows these companies to profit from confusion, leaving millions of hardworking Bangladeshis at a disadvantage.
Too Many Packages, Too Much Confusion
Bangladesh’s mobile operators offer an excessive number of packages, making it nearly impossible for consumers to make informed choices. Unlike developed markets, where operators provide simple and standardized plans, Bangladeshi consumers must navigate hundreds of overlapping offers. Short-term packages, some lasting only one or two hours, force users into frequent repurchases, ultimately increasing their costs.
Operators use intentionally confusing structures to make direct price comparisons difficult, ensuring consumers pay more than they should. This complexity isn’t about providing choices—it’s a business strategy designed to maximize revenue through confusion.
Predatory Practices That Exploit Consumers
1. Auto-Renewal and Auto Opt-In Traps ?Many consumers unknowingly subscribe to auto-renewing packages, leading to unexpected deductions. Operators often do not send clear renewal alerts, making it difficult for users—especially those with low digital literacy—to track their spending.
2. Data Expiry Without Rollover ?Globally, most operators allow unused mobile data to carry forward, ensuring consumers get the full value of their purchases. In Bangladesh, most packages expire completely, forcing users to repeatedly pay for data they have already purchased.
3. Post-Expiration Price Manipulation ?When a discounted promotional package expires, users are often shifted to a significantly higher rate without clear notification. A consumer enjoying a low-cost voice or data plan may suddenly find themselves paying three to five times more simply because they were not warned in advance.
4. Disappearing Promotional Offers ?Operators frequently remove attractive packages from their websites and apps, preventing consumers from re-subscribing. This tactic forces users to switch to costlier alternatives, ensuring higher profits for mobile companies at the expense of ordinary citizens.
Bangladesh vs. Global Standards: Why Are We Treated Differently?
In many other countries, mobile operators follow simpler, more transparent pricing models. Yet in Bangladesh, they deliberately create confusion and complexity to extract more money from consumers. In markets like Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand or Norway, these same operator groups offer fewer package variations, clearer renewal policies, and fairer pricing models.
The difference? Stronger consumer protection laws and strict enforcement. In Bangladesh, weak regulation allows operators to exploit market loopholes with little accountability.
Who Suffers the Most?
These exploitative practices hurt low-income and less digitally literate users the most. Unlike tech-savvy consumers who can compare options, millions of Bangladeshis, particularly in rural areas, simply accept whatever package is available, often paying far more than necessary.
A daily wage worker who unknowingly subscribes to an auto-renewing package or a high per-MB charge could lose a significant portion of their daily earnings without realizing it. Families struggling to afford basic necessities end up spending more on mobile services than they should, further widening economic inequality.
What Needs to Change?
○????? The BTRC should enforce a cap on mobile packages per operator to prevent confusion and ensure price transparency.
○????? Operators must obtain explicit consent before renewing a package. Users should be clearly notified before any deductions occur.
○????? Consumers should not lose unused data if they buy another package within a reasonable 15-30 days timeframe.
○????? Operators should be required to display standard per-minute and per-GB costs, making it easy for users to compare offers.
○????? The government and telecom regulators should educate consumers about their rights, showing them how to avoid hidden charges and misleading renewals.
Conclusion: Time for Accountability
While mobile connectivity has transformed Bangladesh, it has come at a great cost to the average consumer. Instead of providing fair and transparent pricing, mobile operators exploit weak regulations to maximize profits at the expense of consumers.
On this World Consumer Rights Day, it is time to demand fair pricing, package transparency, and stronger regulatory oversight. If mobile operators can follow ethical pricing practices in Malaysia, Nepal , Sri Lanka, Thailand,? Pakistan, and Norway, they can do the same in Bangladesh.
The BTRC, policymakers, and consumers must take action now to end exploitative telecom practices and ensure affordable, transparent mobile services for all.