Banglalink displayed a strong performance in 2021 as it posted the highest revenue growth in six years on the back of strong data sales as the coronavirus pandemic turbocharged the digital transformation of work, purchase, education and entertainment.
The revenue of the third-largest mobile phone operator in Bangladesh rose 5.1 per cent year-on-year to Tk 4,794 crore in 2021, according to a press release of Veon Ltd, the parent company of Banglalink.
The annual revenue grew 0.7 per cent year-on-year to Tk 4,560 crore in 2020. It was Tk 4,530 crore in 2019. Data revenue played a pivotal role in its strong result as it grew by 20.9 per cent year-on-year to Tk 1,364 crore in 2021.
Banglalink, which added about 20 lakh customers last year to take its customers base to 3.72 crore, made the internet service central to its strategy evidenced by its strong show in a drive-test carried out by the telecom regulator to look into the 4G internet speed provided by the operators across the country in 2021.
The operator recorded revenue growth of 8.3 per cent year-on-year to Tk 1,229 in the October to December quarter.
Data volumes surged 71.5 per cent year-on-year, contributing to a 23.8 per cent rise in mobile data revenue during the quarter.
Fourth-generation (4G) users grew by 50.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2021 and accounted for 34.2 per cent of Banglalink's total customer base at the end of the year.