Robi-Airtel merger to see wider coverage, superior internet

“We believe that the merger approval is certainly the right step towards ensuring a robust competitive landscape in the telecom sector of Bangladesh,” said Robi’s Chief Corporate and People Officer Matiul Islam Nowshad. The merger will strengthen the long-term sustainability of Bangladesh's telecommunication landscape and market structure, securing faster nationwide rollout of mobile broadband, and contribute significantly to the overall economy and revenue of the country, said Robi in a statement yesterday. Creating a wider sales and distribution reach through the most extensive channels, it will be supported by the largest network of customer service centres across the country, the statement added. The single entity will facilitate availability of internet access across Bangladesh and improve affordability of mobile services through the enhanced scale of combined operations. It would facilitate the government’s vision of Digital Bangladesh and drive foreign direct investment (FDI) into Bangladesh. Improved mobile data and broadband services will have a multiplying effect on productivity of the economy, local adjacent mobile and allied services eco-system and drive new FDIs towards other sectors as well as improved scale of operations leading to better business viability and shareholder returns. Improving the cost of operations and business viability that will lead to greater returns to the shareholders resulting in the ability to further invest towards the expansion of telecommunication services across the country. Industry insiders said the merger is set to strengthen the industry structure, competitiveness and, more importantly, bring greater benefits to customers in terms of network quality and coverage and an improved offering of data products and services.