GP, Robi, Banglalink, Teletalk fined Tk 7.65 crore for illegal VoIP

The telecom regulator has recently fined four mobile network operators Tk 7.65 crore, as their SIMs were found inside equipment confiscated for use in illegal Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

The Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) fined state-run Teletalk Tk 5 crore, Robi Axiata Tk 2 crore, Grameenphone Tk 50 lakh and Banglalink Tk 15 lakh.

The commission sent letters—signed by its secretary Md Nurul Hafiz—to the operators and asked them to pay the penalty within June 30.

The Daily Star obtained copies of the letters sent to the operators on June 7.

According to the sources in the BTRC, the law enforcement agency in different raids in collaboration with the BTRC seized 52,344 SIM cards of different operators along with VoIP equipment from different places in the country in 2018 and 2019.

Initially, the amount of the fine was Tk 26.6 crore.

Later, the commission conducted hearings in April and slashed the amount of the penalty after revision based on the operators' application.