Now letters are pouring in The Daily Star suspecting foul play and nepotism in the allocation of the new mobile sets to genuine users following the published procedures. The next phase of the project would raise the total number to one million (news report). There is many a slip between the cup and the lip;

In view of the popularity of cheaper mobile telephone, there would be a scramble by the insiders to grab a large share of the market through unfair means, VIP quotas and other means. The business through the back doors has to be stopped; and official silence on this point would be misunderstood.

An interesting point was made by one of the citizens, that mobile telephone hawking (in the villages) is a positive step towards poverty alleviation. Today we see innumerable small shops and outlets in cities offering mobile calls as a public service, as the vast majority cannot afford to acquire a mobile phone. Such hawking business has to follow some official guidelines, which is not being publicised.

The official policy was misguided for 14 years, treating telephone as a luxury item (indirectly). Communication reduces the cost of business, including private use (saving time which money cannot buy once lost).

There is one simple way to allay public fears: revamp the BTTB, and reduce its business load. The era of government doing business is gone (globalisation and what not).

Secondly, review the further expansion of land-line telephone system using underground and overhead cables (time-consuming, and too many human personnel involved at different stages, thus encouraging corrupt practices).

Third, assembly of mobile sets may be started in Bangladesh (there is a factory in the semi-public sector).

Fourth: always keep the supply more than the demand.