Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
After months of decline, Bangladesh's internet user base showed signs of stabilisation in February 2025, according to data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
The number of mobile internet users saw a slight increase from 116.02 million in January to 116.03 million in February, while broadband users remained unchanged at 14.04 million.
In June 2024, the country had approximately 129.17 million mobile internet users. However, by January 2025, this figure had fallen to 116.02 million, reflecting a loss of over 13 million users.
Similarly, the total number of internet subscribers, including both mobile and broadband users, declined from 142.17 million in June 2024 to 130.06 million in January 2025.
Industry experts attributed this decline to factors such as rising living costs, increased taxation, and political instability.
A telecom expert noted that growing expenses have deterred consumers from acquiring new connections, making it difficult to keep marginalised populations connected.
Additionally, higher usage costs have discouraged many from maintaining alternative connections, he said.
Despite these challenges, the slight uptick in mobile internet users in February 2025 offers a glimmer of hope for the sector, suggesting a possible easing of the factors that contributed to the decline registered earlier.
However, the broadband segment has remained flat, indicating that further efforts may be needed to stimulate growth in this area.
Meanwhile, the overall number of mobile subscribers continued to decline during the same period.
bdsmile@gmail.com