Dhaka, March 31 -- A surge in the use of mobile internet data has been offset by a drop in the number of voice calls in Bangladesh amid a nationwide shutdown over the spread of the coronavirus, according to telecom operators.
Telecom companies fear that if the downward trend in voice traffic - a key revenue source -- persists, it could affect their growth and profit forecasts.
Bangladesh announced a shutdown, initially from Mar 26 to Apr 4, for all government and private institutions before extending it to Apr 11 on Tuesday, in a bid to limit the risks of coronavirus.
People are using more internet data at home as they are forced to spend all their time at home. This has, in turn, triggered a fall in mobile phone calls as users are alrea...