Why don’t operators report daily data users?


Posted on November 30, 2015  /  3 Comments

When I first saw a tweet about the Daily Star report, I thought Telenor’s Bangladesh affiliate was following in the steps of its Myanmar counterpart and reporting daily data user percentages. This is something any operator can do based on the information contained in Call Detail Records (CDRs).

But I was disapponted. It was based on a sample survey:

The leading mobile phone operator studied some 1,510 school-going students aged 11-18 years between June and July last year, to understand the internet usage patterns and practices of the youth in Bangladesh.

I do see the value of sample surveys for understanding the user behaviors of specific demographic segments. But the fact remains that such studies are infrequent and costly. Daily or weekly data use numbers cost nothing to produce. Telenor Myanmar has shown it can be done. Why don’t others follow?

3 Comments


  1. Could you please link me to Telenor Myanmar’s Daily Data usage tracker? Can’t seem to find it. Cheers! I enjoy reading your blog everyday

    1. Hm. They include it in various reports and tell the media, e.g., http://lirneasia.net/2015/02/will-myanmar-leapfrog-over-voice-services-to-internet-use/

      But there isn’t a link I can point to. Sorry.

      1. Thanks, Rohan.