Chittagong, Dec 19: Grameenphone (GP) and Bangladesh Power Department Board (PDB) are jointly launching from today a unique service for the first time in Bangladesh called "BillPay", enabling PDB customers in the port city of Chittagong to pay their bills electronically at any GP authorized "BillPay" center.
It is a reliable, quick and convenient service ensuring end-to-end transparency and ultimate convenience for the electricity consumers. This is the first time a mobile phone operator has launched such a service with "universal access" for all citizens: equal service to "anybody", with a mobile phone from "any operator". In fact, even a PDB consumer without a mobile phone can avail the service.
The solution is driven by the motivation of GP and PDB to simplify the electricity bill payment process and thus do away with the problems associated with standing in long queues, traveling, limited payment hours and various post- payment hassles.
"PDB is the first public sector enterprise to have taken up such a customer-focused initiative to simplify the bill payment system for the electricity consumers in Chittagong by using Grameenphone's reliable technology," said PDB Chairman ANM Rizwan. "I hope that the flexibility, ease of use and transparency in the BillPay system will be appreciated by the customers and PDB will gradually spread the service across the country."
Starting from today, PDB "Residential" and "Commercial" customers in the Chittagong Metropolitan Area will be able to pay their Electricity Bills at over 200 authorized GP "BillPay" Centers.
"This is a practical demonstration of how the private and public sectors can jointly work together with a common goal to efficiently serve the people of Bangladesh," said Grameenphone Managing Director Erik Aas. "Initiatives like these are likely to drive a positive social change in the country."
During the initial period, PDB's 3,00,000 Chittagong customers will be enjoying access to the BillPay centers at convenient locations, open from 9am-9pm every day. Consumers will get an immediate confirmation of bills being paid correctly from PDB. They will also be able to query present and past bill status instantly via SMS or receive assistance from the most modern and dedicated call center. Those with a mobile phone from any operator may receive instant notifications when bills are prepared by PDB.
Grameenphone is using its extensive distribution network and proven technology to help automate the PDB bill collection infrastructure in Bangladesh. PDB will enjoy fully automated reconciliation processes, reduced time between bill receipt and posting, resulting in faster availability of funds. It will also ensure transparency while reducing manual processing costs and errors.

ANH Akther Hossain, Secretary Ministry of Energy, ANM Rizwan, Chairman, PDB, Erik Aas Managing Director of Grameenphone, ASM Alamgir Kabir, GM, Commercial Operation, AHM Aminul Islam, Chief Engineer of PDB in Chittagong and Delwar Hossain Azad, AGM, Information Technology of Grameenphone were present on the occasion.

Information Department
Grameenphone Ltd
Phone 9882990