By Zahida Parvez Chhanda (Dhaka Bureau)
In today’s interconnected world, mobile connectivity and internet access are no longer luxuries; they are fundamental components of human dignity, education, and economic survival. Yet, in Bangladesh- one of South Asia’s fastest-growing economies- millions of ordinary citizens find themselves caught in a systemic paradox. While corporate telecom giants and state regulators engage in a multi-billion-dollar legal warfare over outstanding revenues, everyday people are left to bear the brunt of a crumbling digital infrastructure and deteriorating service quality.
Data recently presented in the Parliament of Bangladesh reveals that the government is currently pursuing over Tk 13,144 crore (approximately $1.1 billion) in unpaid dues from the country’s four major mobile network operators. Grameenphone, the nation’s largest corporate telecom operator, tops the arrears list with a staggering liability of Tk 6,102 crore. Strikingly, the state-owned operator, Teletalk, is not far behind, accounting for Tk 5,954 crore of the total unpaid debt, while Robi Axiata and Banglalink owe Tk 615 crore and Tk 473 crore, respectively.
Human Rights Overshadowed by Corporate Disputes
From a humanist perspective, the massive figures and protracted courtroom battles obscure a much more vital issue: the routine violation of consumer rights.
Every day, millions of students, rural entrepreneurs, and working-class citizens experience weak network coverage, sluggish internet speeds, and frequent call drops. For a population increasingly reliant on digital services for healthcare, education, and livelihood, paying for services they do not fully receive represents a form of structural neglect. The narrative of rapid digital transformation rings hollow when the basic communication rights of ordinary people are marginalized by institutional gridlock.
‘We pay our hard-earned money for internet packages every month, but when we need it most, the network disappears,’ lamented a local consumer. ‘Why should ordinary citizens suffer through endless corporate and governmental disputes while being denied the basic service we paid for?’
The Path Toward Nonviolent Resolution and Institutional Accountability
In response to growing public dissatisfaction, the government has launched nationwide “drive tests” spanning nearly 2,000 kilometers to identify technical deficiencies. While this diagnostic step is welcome, a sustainable solution requires moving beyond mere financial penalties and punitive measures toward a framework of constructive dialogue and social responsibility.
To bridge this digital divide, Pressenza highlights several essential shifts toward a more humane and nonviolent approach:
* Prioritizing People Over Profits: Telecom operators must realign their operational priorities to place public service quality ahead of maximizing profit margins. The right to seamlessly connect with loved ones and access information should never be compromised by financial disputes.
* Transparent and Constructive Dialogue: Instead of allowing audit conflicts and revenue-sharing disagreements to languish in endless, adversarial litigation, the regulatory body (BTRC) and telecom executives must engage in open, mediated negotiations aimed at public welfare.
* Reinvesting in Communities: A significant portion of the recovered revenue should be directly reinvested into expanding digital infrastructure in marginalized, rural areas to ensure equitable and affordable internet access for all.
The current stagnation in the telecommunications sector serves as a reminder that when systems prioritize institutional and financial warfare over human needs, it is society that pays the heaviest price. If Bangladesh is to achieve a truly inclusive digital economy, the fundamental right of its citizens to reliable communication must be safeguarded above all corporate and bureaucratic interests.
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The Writer:
Zahida Parvez Chhanda: Senior Journalist and Staff Correspondent Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
