The state-owned land phone operator BTCL has expanded its capacity by 7.8% in last two years since June 2011.
But the number of subscribers fell by at least 8.8% during the period, showed data of Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTCL).
For last nine quarters in a row, the use of BTCL phone has declined.
The data showed the use of BTCL phones compared to its capacity fell to 61.37% from 72.54% in the period.
While the capacity has increased by 106,697 connections, some 87,195 subscribers have withdrawn from the service.
According to the sources, BTCL is going to publish the figures very soon.
“We are very concerned about the future of BTCL. If the trend continues, it is destined to meet the doom shortly,” a high official of the company projected while talking with the Dhaka Tribune.
He blamed the policymakers for not taking any recovery steps.
“Policymakers remain indifferent of the situation,” said the official requesting anonymity. When contacted, BTCL’s managing director SOM Kalim Ullah refused to make any comment on the issue.
Couple of years ago when there was zero demand for BTCL connection outside the capital it was high requirement inside Dhaka.
Business interties always prefer land phone though households have no interests for it. But currently Dhaka’s capacity also lay unused.
The data showed there were some 571,465 active connections in the capital as of June 2011 with 78.96% of capacity utilised.
During the past two years, capacity use came down to 68.69% in Dhaka. But while capacity availability has increased to 781,481 connections, total connections dropped to 536,807 inside the capital.
BTCL recently doubled its monthly line charge from Tk80 to Tk160. The company also reviewed call rates and introduced peak and off-peak clusters.
According to many BTCL officials, the charge hikes are another reason to prompt many subscribers to leave the service.
In 2010, the government offered land phone connections without any charge, which helped BTCL to see an increased number of new subscribers.
