Mobile phone operators of the country have alleged that they are facing obstacles from law enforcement agencies while providing services during countrywide shutdown amid coronavirus outbreak.
The government declared a general holiday from March 26 to April 4 to avoid coronavirus transmission.
The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) on Saturday in a press release claimed that officials and/or representatives of the mobile network operators faced challenges from the law enforcement agencies during their official works including network management, recharge and distribution and customer service
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, telecom has been declared as an emergency service, and following the government's instructions, mobile network operators (MNO) have been providing uninterrupted services across the country.
According to notices circulated by the Cabinet Division and the Ministry of Public Administration, dated March 24, 2020, providers of emergency utility services such as electricity, water, gas, fire service, cleaning operations, telephone and internet, etc. will continue providing their services and keep their offices open during the holidays and shutdown,” said the release.
“However, in some places, officials and/or representatives of the mobile network operators faced challenges from the law enforcement agencies during their official works including network management, recharge & distribution and customer service,” it said.
AMTOB requested the law enforcement agencies to communicate with their field officials so that the mobile operators can provide their countrywide uninterrupted services and keep their offices open without any disruption.
Asked about the issue Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Chairman Md Jahirul Haque told Dhaka Tribune that the matter would be resolved if the mobile operators followed due procedure.
“Rather than sending press release the mobile phone operators need to inform the law enforcing agencies and BTRC about their problem. We would look into the matter,” he said.
