Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar has vowed to provide broadband connectivity across the country this year to provide high-speed internet to the marginalized.
The Minister was speaking as the chief guest at a virtual workshop titled ‘Broadband Policy-2021 (Proposed) Review’ organized by FORAI in Dhaka on Wednesday.
He said 71 islands are being connected through Bangabandhu 1 satellite. Work is underway to provide high-speed internet in every union of the country including haor and remote chars. Besides, work has been started to set up more than 12,000 WiFi zones in remote areas.
BTRC Chairman Shyam Sundar Sikder presided over the function. A2I Policy Adviser Anir Chowdhury, Robi Managing Director, and CEO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Amtob Secretary General Brigadier General (Retd.)SM Farhad and Elinur, Deputy Director, FORAI spoke.
BTRC Director General Brigadier General Nasim Parvez presented the keynote address. The program was conducted by Shahid Uddin Akbar, Country Coordinator of FORAI.
Mustafa Jabbar said the government is formulating an appropriate policy keeping in mind the needs of the next ten years. He described the policy as “not just a broadband policy but a comprehensive Internet policy in all respects.”
‘Under the direction of Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, Information and Communication Adviser to the Prime Minister, Bangladesh has already completed all the preparations to enter the 5G era. “five technology will be the backbone of tomorrow’s industry,” he said.
The government is also working on the Telecom Act, the minister said, adding that digital connectivity is working as a digital highway to establish the fourth industrial revolution or digital Bangladesh.
Highlighting the role of digital technology in keeping life moving in Corona, he said efforts are being made to help students with the telecom industry.
Mentioning that discussions have been held with the Ministry of Education in this regard, the Minister said that work is also being done on how to provide low-cost smartphones to the students of poor families.
Shyam Sundar Sikder highlighted various aspects of the broadband policy and said it was a timely step.
