Banglalink launched 014 prefix yesterday

DOT Desk
Mobile phone operator Banglalink will launch a new number series with 014 prefix yesterday.
The official launch of the new number series will be held at the Banglalink headquarters in Dhaka in presence of its chief executive officer Erik Aas and senior officials from telecom regulator Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission, reports The Financial Express BD.
Banglalink connections with 014 prefix, however, would be available in the market from Friday.
The operator would continue issuing both the new 014 prefix and the existing 019 prefix.
Banglalink chief corporate and regulatory affairs officer Taimur Rahman told New Age on Wednesday, ‘We are looking forward to officially launch the 014 number series today.’
‘Banglalink invites customers to use the new number series to enjoy the whole new service-experience provided by our new dual carrier network,’ said Taimur.
The telecom regulator approved the new number series for Banglalink in August this year when the regulator also issued new number series with 013 prefix for leading mobile phone operator Grameenphone.
Under the regulatory approval, Banglalink would be able to issue one crore connections with 0140 prefix.
GP has been allowed to issue two crore connections with 0130 and 0131 prefix as its existing number series under 017 prefix was almost finished.
GP started selling new number series in October this year after getting approval from BTRC.
The operator has already issued 10 lakh new connections with 013 prefix since its launch.
The number series of the country’s mobile phone operators starts with ‘01’ prefix as per National Numbering Plan.
Each number series allows an operator to sell 10 crore connections with an 11-digit number.
Teletalk’s customers are using 015, Robi’s customers 018 and 016, and Citycell’s customers 011 prefix.
Mobile phone operators, however, are now allowed to resell a SIM card cancelling previous ownership if the number remains unused or inactive for more than 480 days by giving one month notice to its owner.
The number of active mobile phone subscribers in the country stood at 15.58 crore at the end of September this year. Of the subscribers, GP held 7.14 crore, Robi 4.68 crore, Banglalink 3.67 crore and state-owned Teletalk 39.45 lakh.