Data Heist: How Mobile Operators Are Raking in 8-Fold Profits on 1 GB of Data

Mobile Internet Data Sales: A Lucrative Business for Operators

Mobile phone operators in the country, including Grameenphone, Robi, and Banglalink, are generating substantial profits from⁢ the sale of mobile internet data. Over the past few⁣ years, these companies have ⁣been earning 4 to 8 times more per GB from mobile data sales compared ​to their average expenditure.

The Cost of Providing Mobile Internet ‍Data

An analysis of the financial statements of these companies reveals that the⁤ cost of⁣ providing mobile‍ internet data per gigabyte is significantly ‌lower than the selling price. On average, the cost of providing mobile internet data per gigabyte is around 4 rupees.‍ Grameenphone’s cost is approximately 2 taka 26 paisa, while Robi Axiata’s cost is around 5 taka 28 paisa. Although‌ Banglalink’s financial statements do not provide​ specific details‌ about the cost of data, industry stakeholders suggest⁤ that the company’s cost per gigabyte of mobile data is close to 4 rupees.

The Profit Margin of Mobile Internet ⁤Data Sales

The significant difference between the cost of providing mobile internet data and the selling price has resulted in a substantial profit margin for these companies. ⁣With an average expenditure of 4 taka, the companies are earning between 25 to 35 taka per GB, resulting in a profit margin of 4 to 8 times their expenditure. This lucrative business has contributed significantly to the revenue of these mobile​ phone operators.