State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim has said the Rohingya people living in the makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar will get to talk to other refugees for free over the mobile phone.
“State-owned mobile operator Teletalk will give the Rohingya the opportunity to talk to their fellows living in other camps for free,” she made the statement while inaugurating Teletalk booth at Kutupalong camp on Wednesday.
The facility will be available at 10 Teletalk booths in Ukhiya’s Kutupalong, Balukhali, Thaingkhali, Hakimpara, Palongkhali and Teknaf’s Howaikong camps.
Stating that the facility was given on humanitarian grounds, she said: “The Rohingya living in these camps can talk to each other for free.
“This way, they will be able to stay in touch with their relatives living in other camps.”
Tarana said: “The prime minister has ordered us to see that the Rohingya people get telecommunication facilities and for that we have set up 10 Teletalk booths.”
She said: “We had declared to avail this facility at a reasonable rate but after visiting the camps we saw that they are unable to pay that price also.
“So, on humanitarian grounds we decided to give the service for free.”
The minister also said Teletalk’s capacity has been increased to ensure that Rohingya people get undisrupted voice service.
This article was first published on Bangla Tribune