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Bangladesh Bank has issued a circular allowing mobile network operators to accept payments in local currency for international roaming services in a bid to simplify such services for Bangladeshi travellers.
The directive, issued on Thursday, is expected to ease the process for people receiving such services during overseas trips.
According to the circular, mobile operators in Bangladesh are now permitted to receive payments in taka from customers for international roaming, subject to specific limits -- up to Tk 6,000 per overseas trip and a maximum of Tk 30,000 within a calendar year. These limits apply collectively across all mobile numbers and operators used by a single customer.
To avail the service, travellers must meet a set of conditions. The customer must possess a valid visa and travel ticket, and roaming services must be activated at least one week prior to the date of travel. The circular also emphasises that these thresholds are cumulative and cannot be exceeded even if multiple numbers or mobile operators are involved.
Additionally, the new guidelines empower mobile operators to remit payments to foreign network operators in exchange for roaming services used by their subscribers.
However, such outward payments must be routed through authorised banks and adhere to conditions laid out in the circular to ensure compliance with foreign exchange regulations.
Previously, Bangladeshi travellers were limited to paying for roaming services using foreign currency via international credit or debit cards, which posed difficulties for those with limited access to such instruments.
Industry insiders have welcomed the central bank's move, saying it will not only facilitate smoother access to roaming services but also support the growth of value-added services (VAS) in the telecom sector.
They believe the initiative will significantly benefit frequent travellers and help mobile operators better cater to the needs of customers without over-reliance on foreign payment mechanisms.
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