Government Awaiting Tk13,144 Crore From Mobile Operators

The Government of Bangladesh is owed a total of Tk13,144 crore in outstanding revenue from the country’s four mobile network operators, according to information presented in the National Parliament on Wednesday.

The figures were disclosed by Information and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam in response to a question from Cox’s Bazar-3 lawmaker Lutfur Rahman during the parliamentary question-and-answer session, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

According to the minister, the largest share of the outstanding amount is owed by the state-owned operator Teletalk, which has accumulated dues of Tk5,954 crore. The amount includes licence fees, revenue-sharing obligations, spectrum charges, administrative penalties and contributions to the social responsibility fund.

The minister informed Parliament that Teletalk has applied for the conversion of Tk5,554 crore of its liabilities into equity. The proposal is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Finance. As the country’s only state-owned mobile operator, Teletalk has faced financial challenges over the years while competing against larger private-sector rivals in an increasingly competitive telecommunications market.

Grameenphone, the country’s largest mobile operator by subscriber base, accounts for the second-largest portion of the outstanding claims. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has demanded a total of Tk8,494.01 crore from the company following objections raised during an Information System Audit.

Under court directives, Grameenphone has already paid Tk2,392.19 crore in two instalments. Even after those payments, Tk6,101.82 crore remains outstanding. The dispute is currently awaiting resolution in the higher courts.

The minister also provided details regarding Robi Axiata. BTRC has claimed Tk678 crore from the operator, citing Information System Audit objections and value-added tax issues related to revenue-sharing payments. Following court orders, the company paid Tk188 crore in five instalments. The remaining amount remains under legal review, with proceedings continuing before the High Court.

Banglalink Digital Communications is facing a similar dispute. According to the minister, BTRC has claimed Tk473 crore from the operator on grounds related to audit observations and VAT on revenue-sharing payments. Of that amount, Tk381 crore has already been paid, while litigation over the remainder is ongoing.

The disclosures highlight the significant financial disputes that continue to exist between telecom operators and the regulator. Many of these claims stem from audit findings, regulatory interpretations and revenue-sharing calculations that have been challenged through legal channels.

Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector remains one of the country’s most important revenue-generating industries. As court proceedings continue, the eventual resolution of these outstanding claims could have a substantial impact on both government revenue collections and the broader regulatory landscape of the telecom industry.