Competition Commission clears antitrust case against Grameenphone

Bangladesh’s largest mobile operator, Grameenphone, is heading for a full-blown antitrust battle after the Competition Commission (BCC) on Monday rejected its bid to derail a complaint brought by rivals Robi Axiata and Banglalink.

The watchdog ruled that there is “no legal obstacle” to proceed, setting the stage for an in-depth probe into allegations that Grameenphone engaged in predatory pricing to “seize the market.”

Rivals accuse GP of undercutting market

The complaint centres on SIM pricing. Robi claims it sells SIMs at Tk 199 — net Tk 110 after distributor commissions — while Grameenphone allegedly pushed retail prices down to Tk 169, leaving distributors with Tk 122 in commissions and effectively selling at just Tk 47 per SIM.

This undercutting, far below the Tk 300 government SIM tax, amounts to dumping, rivals argue. “Innovation and fair competition are essential for customer welfare,” Robi’s Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Shahed Alam said, hailing the verdict as a victory for equal market opportunities.

Commission pushes back against GP’s defence

Grameenphone had insisted that the telecom regulator, BTRC, has sole authority over tariffs and marketing. But the BCC, led by Chairman AHM Ahsan, dismissed that argument.

“The BTRC is a sector regulator. The Competition Commission’s job is to root out practices that distort fair competition,” Ahsan said.

GP dismisses allegations

In a statement, Grameenphone said it had “become aware” of the order but had yet to receive a certified copy. The operator denied all allegations, stressing that it conducts business “in full compliance with competition laws.”

The company argued that as a designated Significant Market Power (SMP) operator — with 86.5 million of Bangladesh’s 188.4 million subscribers and nearly half of the Tk 32,000 crore market — it already faces tighter rules, including campaign pre-approvals and capped interconnection charges.

“These allegations are baseless and reflect negative competitive motives in a tightly regulated environment,” the telco said.

Next steps

The BCC will now open a formal investigation. A new hearing date is expected soon, with Banglalink joining Robi in pressing the case.

If Grameenphone is found guilty, the Commission could impose hefty fines, force pricing changes, or even recommend structural measures a ruling that could reshape competition in the telecom sector.