Government Announces Major Update on Unlimited Validity for Unused Mobile Data

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, shared this update in the National Parliament on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Responding to a query from MP Md. Abdul Alim, the Minister stated that the government is acutely aware of the issue regarding the expiration of unused data and is actively working to protect consumer interests.

Addressing the current landscape, the Home Minister noted that Bangladesh now has approximately 113.5 million mobile internet subscribers with diverse usage patterns. He explained that mobile operators currently offer small, time-bound packages to keep costs affordable while managing high infrastructure and operational expenses. Under existing BTRC regulations, unused data can be "carried forward" if a user repurchases the same package or opts for auto-renewal before the current term expires. Furthermore, he highlighted that all operators already provide data packages with a 10-year validity, which practically functions as an unlimited duration for most consumers.

Beyond data validity, the Minister detailed extensive steps being taken to improve the quality of internet services, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. The BTRC has issued comprehensive "Quality of Service" guidelines to set benchmarks for both mobile and broadband speeds, and the commission is conducting regular "drive tests" to ensure these standards are met. Highlighting the nation’s technological progress, the Minister informed Parliament that 5G services have already been launched on a limited scale in more than 40 key areas of Dhaka, as well as in over 400 locations across the country, including Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, and Rajshahi. This expansion reflects a commitment to digital infrastructure comparable to the standards seen in many developed and NATO-member nations.