GP Faces Customer Backlash Over Billing Complaints
Bangladesh’s largest mobile operator, Grameenphone (GP), is facing widespread criticism on social media following allegations of overcharging customers despite advertising attractive call-rate and internet offers. Several subscribers have accused the operator of deducting extra money, disappearing data balances, and providing unsatisfactory explanations when complaints are raised.
The controversy gained attention after a video shared by Sheikh Masud Rana and technology content creator Techtalk Mahtab Hossain Sudip went viral online.
According to one complainant, Mahtab Hossain, who is also a GP retailer, he recharged Tk 989 in May to activate a 1 paisa-per-second (1-second pulse) call-rate package. Under the offer, the effective charge should have been 60 paisa per minute, but he claims that 84 paisa per minute was being deducted from his balance.
After failing to obtain a satisfactory resolution through GP customer care, he reportedly filed complaints with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.
According to the complainant, GP later attributed the discrepancy to the MyGP app not being updated. However, he presented records showing that the app update was released several days after he had activated the offer, questioning the validity of the explanation.
Following the incident, numerous users took to social media to share similar experiences.
One customer, Moshifur Rahman, alleged that although he had subscribed to a one-year 1 paisa-per-second package, the call rate automatically switched to Tk 1.80 per minute after calling a few specific numbers.
Another subscriber, Ayon Aich, claimed that while the MyGP app displayed a 1 paisa-per-second rate, SMS notifications indicated deductions at a significantly higher rate.
Customer Rakibul Islam alleged that Tk 20 was deducted from his account within a few minutes despite not activating any service.
Complaints have also emerged regarding internet services and promotional offers.
According to Tushar Sarkar, he purchased a 5GB data package for Tk 100 but was unable to use it effectively due to extremely slow internet speeds.
Another user, Faisal Ahmed, claimed that he received only Tk 50 cashback despite purchasing a package advertised with a Tk 150 cashback benefit on a 100GB offer.
Several users have further alleged that internet packages were activated and money deducted from their bKash accounts without their authorization. Some complainants claim such deductions occurred even though they did not have the relevant application installed on their devices.
The growing number of complaints has triggered extensive discussions across social media platforms, with many users calling for a formal investigation by consumer protection authorities.
Some customers have also compared GP’s services with those of competing operators, arguing that while network limitations remain a challenge for certain providers, pricing transparency and service quality should be given greater importance across the industry.
As public frustration continues to grow, many subscribers are now urging the relevant regulatory and consumer rights authorities to investigate the allegations and ensure greater accountability in the telecommunications sector.
//DBTech/SI/MI/OR//
