Mobile data usage of Tawhidul Islam’s family has increased two-fold to accomplish various tasks like working from home, attending online school for children, keeping in touch with relatives, being up-to-date with latest news, entertainment, social communication, online shopping, sending money, online payment, utility bill payment, consulting doctor via telemedicine and so on. Due to the ongoing lockdown for preventing Covid-19, many families like Tawhidul are using mobile phone several times more than before. Mobile phone has become one of the most reliable means to carry on mergency tasks and maintain social communication.
Recent data also shows the growing trend of mobile usage. Due to the current situation in Bangladesh, mobile data usage has increased by 15 to 20 percent, according to the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB). As mobile phone has become a lifeline in this emergency, mobile recharge has become very important right now. That is why, customers of MFS providers like bKash are relying on mobile recharge service during this emergency.
According to bKash data, approximately 45 million people which is majority of all mobile subscribers in Bangladesh, have used bKash to top up their mobile balance in April of this year. Before Covid-19 outbreak in the country, it was around 32 million in January. This means, 40% more users have used bKash mobile recharge during Covid-19 emergency than before to get uninterrupted mobile services.
Customers of all local mobile operators - GP, Robi, Banglalink, Airtel and Teletalk can buy airtime or package with bKash. They can also find the available recharge offers in the bKash app. As a result, it is very convenient for customers to top up their own or relatives’ mobile number anytime.
For mobile recharge, bKash customers can Cash In from any agent point across the country or they can instantly bring money to any bKash account from Visa or Mastercard. They can also avail the service of transferring money to bKash account from 12 private banks through online banking or app. As a result, customers can enjoy seamless Add Money service from their home and maintain social distance at the same time during this emergency.
The use of mobile phone is a blessing for bringing socio-economic change in urban and rural areas. Mobile phone has become even more necessary, particularly at the time of Coronavirus pandemic and mobile financial services are playing a vital role in keeping financial transactions up and running at this moment.