BTCL’s Alaap App: A Revolutionary Solution for Affordable Calling

The Shift Towards OTT Calling Apps in Bangladesh

Nowadays, parents often make calls through Messenger, WhatsApp, or Imo. Young people have already developed the habit of calling via Messenger or WhatsApp instead of making direct phone calls. The increasing use of these OTT calling apps among people of all ages, from youth to seniors, is mainly due to the high call rates of telecom operators. None of the mobile operators in Bangladesh charge less than 50 paisa per minute, hiding this under various packages and conditions. After VAT, supplementary duty, and surcharges, which add up to 33.25% in taxes, users typically end up paying between 66 to 70 paisa per minute. In some cases, users may even spend up to 2 taka per minute. However, with BTCL’s Alaap app, you can talk for just 35 paisa per minute. Today, we will explain what Alaap is and how you can talk on any operator for only 35 paisa per minute.

The Evolution of Voice Calls: From Graham Bell to Modern Apps

The first voice call in the world was made by the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, in 1876. Nearly 100 years later, in 1973, the first voice call was made from a mobile phone. Although Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calling started in the mid-1990s, the launch of Skype in 2003 significantly increased the use of cheap internet-based calls. Especially for international calling, this app-to-app calling method became very cost-effective. After the launch of the iPhone in 2007 and the first Android phone in 2008, various internet-based calling apps started to emerge. These apps primarily offered free app-to-app instant messaging and calling services. Among these apps, Viber, Skype, and FaceTime for iOS users became notable. In 2013, Facebook Messenger introduced a calling feature, and in 2015, WhatsApp, which Facebook had acquired in 2014, added a calling feature. According to Statista, among the numerous apps available, WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, and Snapchat are currently the most popular instant messaging and calling apps globally. WeChat and QQ are mainly popular in China.

The Growth of OTT Calling Apps in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, the use of these apps began increasing after the launch of 3G in 2012. As 4G and broadband internet became more available, these apps’ popularity also grew. According to data from Similarweb, Messenger is the most widely used instant messaging and calling app in Bangladesh. WhatsApp, IMO, and Telegram are also used by many. But why has the number of users for these app-to-app instant messaging and calling apps grown so much?

Monthly Active Users in Million

The High Cost of Traditional Calls in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, users need to spend at least 60-70 paisa per minute for phone calls, depending on the operator. In some cases, it can cost up to 2 taka to call other operators. As 4G internet accessibility increases and broadband internet becomes more available across the country, the internet is now within people’s reach. This accessibility has led people to choose more cost-effective options for communication. As a result, the use of Messenger, WhatsApp, IMO, and Telegram for audio and video calls has increased significantly. However, a major limitation of these apps is that the same app must be installed on both ends. Additionally, if the person you’re calling is not connected to the internet, you cannot communicate with them. Therefore, we still often have to spend more money to make direct phone calls.

The Introduction of Local OTT Calling Apps in Bangladesh

With the growing popularity of Over the Top (OTT) instant messaging and calling apps among users, several local companies in Bangladesh began offering app-based calling services under IPTSP licenses in 2018. As part of this trend, BTCL launched the fully local OTT calling app “Alaap” on March 26, 2021. With this app, you can talk to other Alaap users for free, just like WhatsApp or Messenger. Moreover, you can call non-app users directly on their phone numbers via the internet for only 35 paisa per minute. Including VAT, the total cost comes to 40 paisa per minute, which is more affordable than the call rates of any telecom operator in the country. You can also make direct international calls from the app. The Alaap app is available for both Android and iOS devices. Additionally, it can be accessed through any internet browser on laptops, PCs, or any device, and users can make calls to other Alaap users or directly to any number. The app also offers free video calls and messaging between Alaap users, along with the ability to transfer files up to 100 MB. Messages sent through Alaap are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring security, just like international instant messaging apps.

Registered Data Till August 2023

How to Download and Sign Up for Alaap

You can easily download the app from the Play Store or App Store and sign up with your phone number via OTP. Once signed up, you can make free calls and send messages via Alaap, just like WhatsApp. If you want to call any number in the country from the app, you’ll need to verify your identity by providing a picture of your national ID, other necessary information, and a personal photo. Once verified, you will be assigned a dedicated IPTSP number linked to your phone number. You can easily recharge the app from home using a debit or credit card or directly from an MFS account.

According to a report from TBS, more than 1.2 million users registered on the Alaap app as of August 2023. With the rising costs imposed by mobile operators, the Alaap app offers a much more affordable option for talking to any number in the country. Since this is a smartphone-based service, by improving the quality of service and introducing new features, Alaap could become a super app for Bangladesh in the future.

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