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.