After the Bangladesh authorities’ imposed restriction on using mobile services at Cox’s Bazaar Rohingya camp area, the Rohingyas in those camps now are using mobile SIM of Myanmar’s mobile operators. Besides, the cross-border smugglers are also now using SIM of Myanmar's mobile companies to continue their illegal activities, sources said.
Due to nearness between the Cox’s Bazaar Rohingya camps and Myanmar border, network of Myanmar mobile operators is strong enough to maintain communication from the Rhingya refugee camps. Similarly, the mobile network of Bangladeshi operators is also available in Myanmar bordering areas.
In order to prevent the Rohingyas from using local mobile SIM, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has instructed mobile operators to shut down 4G (Voice and Data) and 3G (Voice and Data) service in Rohingya camps and its adjacent areas of Teknaf and Ukhiya until further notice. The operators have already implemented the instruction accordingly. However 2G Service will remain active as per the instruction of BTRC.
Source said, although the networks of Bangladesh is restricted, the network of mobile phone companies of Myanmar available in the border areas. Many of the Rohingyas living in camps are now using the mobile network of Myanmar. Besides, people who have business on the two sides of the border, especially the Yaba smugglers and human traffickers, are also now using SIM cards of Myanmar.
When the Rohingyas came to Bangladesh crossing the border from Myanmar in 2017, many had mobile SIM card of that country. “Since 25 August 2017, Rohingyas have been using Myanmar mobile network at a limited stage, but when Bangladesh authority suspended internet facilities, Rohingyas have started using SIM cards of Myanmar mobile phone,” said Squadron Leader Azim Ahamed, Commander of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) 15.
“It is learnt that many Rohgingyas are using mobile SIM card of Myanmar’s networks. But the number of such SIMs are not known. The restriction on Bangladesh's mobile networks in the camps may increase the tendency of using Myanmar’s operators’ SIM,” he added. Coxs Bazar police said Rohingyas are trying to collect SIM cards from Myanmar. Police have arrested three Rohingyas with 222 SIM cards of Myanmar's operators in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar on September 7. The seized SIM cards belong to Myanmar's state- run mobile network MPT Company.
Iqbal Hossain, Additional Police Super of Coxs Bazar said, “These mobile SIMs were brought to the Rohingyas for sale. It is being investigated how the people are selling these SIMs here.”Source said MPT of Myanmar and ‘Telenor Myanmar’ network are active along the Bangladesh border. With over 20 million users, MPT is the first and leading telecommunication company in Myanmar. Telenor, world’s leading telecommunication company, is operating in Myanmar for years. Between these two companies, the network of MPT is available deeper in Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh and Myanmar use different Spectrum Band. So we have not experienced any interference,” said Shahed Alam, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer of Robi, a leading mobile operator in Bangladesh. “However, we are aware that Myanmar network is available deep in Bangladesh and Myanmar SIM is being used for connectivity,” he added.
BTRC sources said that a team of specialists is now working in Cox's Bazaar with Cross Boarder Interference of mobile frequency. After the experts have dogged the level of interference, the matter will be discussed with Myanmar authorities.
