Robi
Robi customers can now use Upay app without internet charge
Robi is now allowing its customers to use the application of mobile financial service provider (MFS) Upay without any internet charge.
Also, Robi and Airtel customers can enjoy a 1GB internet bonus and up to Tk450 cash reward by getting registered on Upay.
Read Upay, Falcon sign agreement on salary disbursement
Robi and Upay, a subsidiary of United Commercial Bank, recently signed an agreement at a city hotel in this connection.
Sydul H Khandaker, managing director and chief executive officer of Upay, and Shihab Ahmad, the chief commercial officer of Robi, signed the agreement, according to a media statement.
Read Robi’s digital employee healthcare platform becomes role-model for Axiata
Shihab said: "I am really happy to sign this agreement with Upay, which will allow the Robi and Airtel customers to enjoy digital lifestyle using the benefits of Upay. I hope our customers will use the Upay app more and more."
Mahtab stands down after 5 years as Robi managing director, CEO
Following a successful stint as Robi managing director and CEO for five years, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed has decided not to renew his contract.
Mahtab's term with Robi will officially come to an end on October 31, but he has decided to go on leave with immediate effect.
Read CEO of financial institution needs BB permission before going abroad
Robi Chief Financial Officer M Riyaaz Rasheed, in addition to his current role, will serve as the acting CEO with immediate effect.
Chairman of Robi Board of Directors, Thayaparan Sangarapillai said: "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Mahtab for establishing Robi as the leading digital service provider of the country."
Read Unilever Bangladesh appoints Zaved Akhtar as CEO, MD
As Robi's first home-grown CEO, Mahtab took the company to a new height of success that includes achieving a leadership position in 4G, several path-breaking innovative digital initiatives, and the biggest ever IPO.
Mahtab steps down as Robi’s Managing Director and CEO
After a successful stint as Robi’s Managing Director and CEO for five years, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed has decided to step down.
Though his five-year term with Robi will officially come to an end on October 31, 2021, he has decided to go on leave with immediate effect, according to a company release issued on Thursday.
Read: Robi’s digital employee healthcare platform becomes role-model for Axiata
Robi’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) M Riyaaz Rasheed, in addition to his current role, will serve as the acting CEO with immediate effect.
Chairman of Robi Board of Directors, Thayaparan Sangarapillai said: “On behalf of the Robi Board of Directors, I would like to thank Mahtab for establishing Robi firmly as the leading digital service provider of the country.”
Mahtab thanked Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, Posts and Telecommunications Division, ICT Division, Bangladesh Security Exchange Commission, Dhaka Stock Exchange, Chittagong Stock Exchange, and Robi’s employees, business partners and customers for their cooperation.
Read: Robi partners with SKS to help Covid-hit low-income people
As Robi’s first home-grown CEO, Mahtab took the company to the dizzying height of success that includes achieving leadership position in 4G, a number of path-breaking innovative digital initiatives and the biggest-ever IPO.
He leaves behind Robi on a strong foundation to transform itself into the digital champion of the industry through leadership in digital innovation.
Robi’s digital employee healthcare platform becomes role-model for Axiata
Robi’s innovative digital solution to keep a tab on well-being of its employees and their family members during the Covid-19 pandemic has been recognized as a role model by Axiata group.
Robi’s digital leadership has inspired a number of Axiata’s operating companies spread over different countries to adopt similar solutions.
Read: Robi partners with SKS to help Covid-hit low-income people
In Robi’s in-house digital healthcare platform employees can submit the health status of themselves and their family members. They can also hit the emergency button in need of immediate support, responding to which Robi’s HR team contacts them instantly. After receiving feedback from the healthcare platform, the HR team gets in touch with the help seeking employee.
The reports from the healthcare platform and the one-on-one check-ins are later summarized into a health dashboard for discussing frequently in the management meetings to ensure employees and their family’s sound health.
Read: Mobile Insurance Offers in Bangladesh Can Save Lives
Robi offers Tk1 lakh life insurance coverage on specific bundle packs
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Robi is offering Tk1 lakh life insurance coverage to customers on specific bundle packs purchase.
Customers recharging Tk324 or Tk104 will automatically receive insurance coverage and benefits from Health Plus, Robi's digital health platform.
Read: Mobile Insurance Offers in Bangladesh Can Save Lives
Customers can avail 525 voice minutes and 512MB data by recharging Tk324 with 30 days' validity. By recharging Tk104, customers can enjoy 170 voice minutes with seven days' validity. The life insurance amount for both packs is Tk1 lakh.
The validity of life insurance for Tk324 is six months and one month for Tk104. The age limit of the customer for insurance coverage is between 18 to 60 years.
Read: Robi partners with SKS to help Covid-hit low-income people
In case of the death of the registered customer, a nominated person will be able to claim the insurance. The nominee will have to call 28477 to settle the insurance claim, according to a press release.
Robi maintains strong growth momentum with 47 crore taka profit
Robi ended the second quarter of the year with profit after tax (PAT) of 47 crore taka. Supported by steadily rising revenue and efficient cost management, the company’s PAT for the first half of the year reached 81 crore taka. Robi’s financial results for Q2’21 was released today at a virtual press briefing event.
Compared to Q1’21, Robi’s 4G subscriber base grew by 7.5% in Q2’21, but compared to the same quarter last year, its 4G subscriber base grew by 65%. Out of a total subscriber base of 5 crore 18 lakhs, close to 2 crore are 4G subscribers. Besides, 72.4% of the company’s subscribers are now data users, which is highest in the industry; per user data usage per month is also rising rapidly- it now stands at 3.9GB, indicating that Robi’s strong 4.5G network is winning the confidence of the digitally savvy customers.
Read: Robi partners with SKS to help Covid-hit low-income people
Although the subscriber base grew by 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year, compared to the last quarter, Robi’s subscriber base declined marginally by 0.2% in Q2’21. Robi’s subscriber market share stood at 29.4% at the end of Q2’21.
Despite the pandemic related lockdown, Robi’s revenue reached 2,031 crore taka following a rise of 2.5% in Q2’21, compared to the last quarter. Compared to the same quarter last year, Robi’s revenue rose by 15.2%. Voice revenue grew by 1.4% in Q2’21, compared to the last quarter, but compared to the same quarter last year, voice revenue grew by 13.7%.
Data revenue on the other hand have been speeding up at a faster rate with 3.6% growth in Q2’21, compared to the last quarter. Compared to the same quarter last year, Robi’s data revenue grew steeply by 21.9%.
Robi’s EBITDA in Q2’21 stood at 854 crore taka, following a rise of 5.2% compared to the last quarter, but compared to the same quarter last year, EBITDA declined by 3.2%. EBITDA margin at the end of Q2’21 stood at 42.1%.
Read: Robi, DNCC sign deal 'to build a smart Dhaka'
The company’s earnings per share (EPS) at the end of Q2’21 reached 0.09 taka, following a rise of 36% compared to last quarter, compared to the same quarter last year, the underlying EPS growth rate was 17.8%. Steadily rising EPS is the result of organic EBITDA growth.
Robi made capex investment of 584 crore taka in Q2’21 to expand its 4G network. The company had 13,545 4G sites at the end of Q2’21 ensuring 98% population coverage; it was the first company to deploy 4G technology in 100% of its network. Robi paid 1,138 crore taka to the Government exchequer which was 56% of its revenue for the quarter.
Commenting on the financial performance of the company, Robi’s Managing Director and CEO, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said: “We are very happy to see that our digital vision has already begun to contribute significantly to our financial performance. We are efficiently managing our cost while continuing with experiments with innovative digital technologies to future-proof the company.
Reflecting on the company’s role in the pandemic situation, he added: “We are proud to be supporting the national call center, 333, which has been repurposed to serve the citizens as the Covid helpline. 333 is also enabling digital service delivery to citizens at their doorsteps. With Robi-10 Minute School, we are providing quality educational content to more than 3 million students of all ages every day.”
Read: Robi deploys 4.5G technology in all its network sites
But the regulatory landscape continues to concern Mahtab. Citing the lack of effective implementation of the SMP regulation, he observed that the overall competitive distortions are pushing the market to the brink of failure, and such fragile state of the competitive landscape is making it difficult to achieve the condition of economic efficiency.
Mahtab noted that distorted price mechanism and distribution system are undermining consumers’ interest and weakening the telecom industry to the detriment of the Digital Bangladesh vision. He stressed that for a market to operate efficiently, no single entity should be allowed to dictate the price and output decisions. However, in our market, the presence of significant monopoly power is discouraging the competition from investing in innovative digital technologies that are crucial to the future of the country, he quipped.
Robi partners with SKS to help Covid-hit low-income people
Robi and Bangladesh Sena Kalyan Sangstha (SKS) have teamed up to help the Covid-hit low-income people across the country.
As a part of the partnership, Robi has donated a significant number of packets consisting of essential food items to SKS in the capital Sunday.
Also read: Robi deploys 4.5G technology in all its network sites
Robi Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Shahed Alam handed over the packets to SKS Chairman Major General Mohammed Saidul Islam.
Also, Robi Managing Director and CEO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed joined the event virtually, read a press release.
Also read: Robi gets strong growth momentum with Tk 155 cr profit
Robi, DNCC sign deal 'to build a smart Dhaka'
Robi Axiata and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) Thursday (June 03, 2021) "to build a smart Dhaka."
DNCC Chief Town Planner Maqsud Hashem and Robi Managing Director and CEO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed signed the MoU at Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan.
Also read: Robi deploys 4.5G technology in all its network sites
Under the agreement, initially, there are plans to set up active network infrastructure in 100 lampposts of DNCC as per the policy of the regulatory body and build smart city surveillance or digital surveillance systems for the safety of the citizens.
Under the Robi Smart City Internet of Things (IoT) technology, there are plans for setting up smart street lamps, smart waste management, smart parking facilities, shuttle services for students, digital displays; and reducing noise pollution.
Also read: Robi gets strong growth momentum with Tk 155 cr profit
DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, who was the chief guest at the event, said, "DNCC and Robi have signed an MoU to construct a smart city. Other telecom companies should also come forward for the welfare of the city dwellers."
Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said, "To improve public services, we have no choice but to turn our cities into smart cities. In that sense, we applaud DNCC's initiative and are proud to be involved in it to build a smart city."
Read DNCC teams up with Young Bangla to make masses embrace masks
Robishop brings big deals, discounts ahead of Eid
Robi Axiata's e-commerce platform Robishop (https://robishop.com.bd/) has recently launched a big discount campaign ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
During the campaign, which will continue till May 15, customers can enjoy up to 67% discount on selected digital gadgets like smartphone, smartwatch, trimmer, shaver, headphone, headset, and earphone by placing their orders online.
Read Community Bank, Robi launch device bundle offer
Also, they can enjoy a 10% discount on credit card payments along with a 0% EMI facility. However, a maximum of Tk500 discount can be availed using cards.
Customers can also get 10% cashback with a maximum discount limit of Tk100 on bKash payments. Moreover, a flat discount of Tk300 can be availed on a single new sign-up on the Robishop website.
Read OPPO presents trove of gifts, offers for Eid
Robishop lets the consumers discover and experience products and offers from a wide array of categories ranging from electronics to household appliances, latest phones, computers, laptops, and accessories.
Popular mobile handset brands like Vivo, Oppo, Samsung and Motorola are on offer as part of the Eid campaign; branded digital gadgets from Philips, Remax, Joyroom, Lenovo, Anker, Havit are also available under it, read a press release.
Read Eid-ul-fitr offers, deals on electronics gadgets in Bangladesh in 2021
Robi distributes Iftar among 25,000 underprivileged people
Robi has distributed Iftar among over 25,000 underprivileged people as part of its ongoing Iftar donation campaign in the first 15 days of Ramadan.
The private mobile operator has taken the initiative in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi and Rangpur in collaboration with Bidyanando Foundation.
Also read: Robi to stand beside underprivileged people during Ramada