Grameenphone's Groundbreaking Goal; Aims 4 Million Marginalized People's Inclusion
- Grameenphone has launched the second phase of its digital inclusion initiative, aiming to reach 4 million marginalized people by 2028.
- The program focuses on improving digital skills, access to online services, and financial inclusion, with at least 70 percent of beneficiaries expected to be women.
Grameenphone has officially launched the second phase of its Digital Inclusion for Marginalized Communities initiative, reaffirming its commitment to expanding digital access and skills among underserved populations across Bangladesh. Implemented in partnership with Plan International Bangladesh and Telenor, the initiative aims to provide digital skills and services to 4 million people by 2028.
The second phase was inaugurated at a ceremony held at a hotel in Dhaka on Thursday, July 30, where the achievements of the program's first phase were also highlighted.
The event was attended by Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam, MP, as the chief guest, while Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdadul Bari attended as the special guest.
During the event, Farhana Islam, Head of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) at Grameenphone, and Digital Inclusion Lead Tajriba Khurshid presented the initiative's progress and future roadmap. A high-level panel discussion on digital inclusion also featured senior representatives from Plan International Bangladesh, the GSMA, Telenor Asia, and Grameenphone.
Expanding Digital Opportunities
Addressing the audience, Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said Bangladesh's digital transformation would only be successful when no segment of society is left behind.
He stressed that building digital infrastructure alone is insufficient and that equipping people with digital skills is equally important. According to the minister, initiatives such as this will play a vital role in connecting marginalized communities to government services, education, employment opportunities, and the digital economy, while supporting the country's broader digital development agenda.
He described the target of reaching 4 million people by 2028 as both timely and commendable.
Beyond Connectivity
BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdadul Bari said digital inequality is no longer defined solely by network coverage. He noted that internet quality, device affordability, digital literacy, and the safe use of technology have become equally important factors.
He said that although 98.9 percent of households are covered by mobile networks, only 65 percent of the population uses mobile phones, while just 44 to 47 percent of Bangladeshis use the internet regularly.
He further noted that although about 56 percent of households have internet access, only 36 percent have fixed broadband connections. Nearly 90 percent of internet users continue to rely on mobile broadband, which he described as a major structural limitation of the country's digital infrastructure.
The BTRC chairman also highlighted disparities in digital access between men and women, urban and rural populations, and persons with disabilities. According to him, internet usage exceeds 75 percent in urban areas but remains between 42 and 44 percent in rural regions, while internet adoption among persons with disabilities is significantly lower than among the general population.
He added that the government is already working to expand 4G coverage in rural areas through the allocation of the 700 MHz spectrum. Other ongoing initiatives include revising spectrum pricing, introducing modern quality-of-service measurement guidelines, making smartphones more affordable, expanding installment-based smartphone purchases, assessing the phased retirement of 2G technology, and improving digital literacy nationwide.
Emdadul Bari also emphasized that every household should have at least one digitally skilled individual and called for Union Digital Centers to be strengthened as platforms for online assistance and digital guidance.
First Phase Achievements and Future Targets
During the event, Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Yasir Azman interacted with several beneficiaries of the initiative, who shared how the program had improved their educational opportunities, livelihoods, online income, and access to government services through enhanced digital skills.
Grameenphone said the first phase of the initiative reached more than 3.3 million people across 32 districts, with approximately 68 percent of the beneficiaries being women and adolescent girls.
In the second phase, the company aims to reach 4 million people by 2028, with women expected to account for at least 70 percent of all beneficiaries. The initiative is also expected to expand access to digital education, mobile financial services, online government services, digital birth registration, and opportunities to generate income through digital platforms.
//DBTech/MI/ME/OR//
Grameenphone has officially launched the second phase of its Digital Inclusion for Marginalized Communities initiative, reaffirming its commitment to expanding digital access and skills among underserved populations across Bangladesh. Implemented in partnership with Plan International Bangladesh and Telenor, the initiative aims to provide digital skills and services to 4 million people by 2028.
The second phase was inaugurated at a ceremony held at a hotel in Dhaka on Thursday, July 30, where the achievements of the program's first phase were also highlighted.
The event was attended by Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam, MP, as the chief guest, while Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdadul Bari attended as the special guest.
During the event, Farhana Islam, Head of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) at Grameenphone, and Digital Inclusion Lead Tajriba Khurshid presented the initiative's progress and future roadmap. A high-level panel discussion on digital inclusion also featured senior representatives from Plan International Bangladesh, the GSMA, Telenor Asia, and Grameenphone.
Expanding Digital Opportunities
Addressing the audience, Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said Bangladesh's digital transformation would only be successful when no segment of society is left behind.
He stressed that building digital infrastructure alone is insufficient and that equipping people with digital skills is equally important. According to the minister, initiatives such as this will play a vital role in connecting marginalized communities to government services, education, employment opportunities, and the digital economy, while supporting the country's broader digital development agenda.
He described the target of reaching 4 million people by 2028 as both timely and commendable.
Beyond Connectivity
BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdadul Bari said digital inequality is no longer defined solely by network coverage. He noted that internet quality, device affordability, digital literacy, and the safe use of technology have become equally important factors.
He said that although 98.9 percent of households are covered by mobile networks, only 65 percent of the population uses mobile phones, while just 44 to 47 percent of Bangladeshis use the internet regularly.
He further noted that although about 56 percent of households have internet access, only 36 percent have fixed broadband connections. Nearly 90 percent of internet users continue to rely on mobile broadband, which he described as a major structural limitation of the country's digital infrastructure.
The BTRC chairman also highlighted disparities in digital access between men and women, urban and rural populations, and persons with disabilities. According to him, internet usage exceeds 75 percent in urban areas but remains between 42 and 44 percent in rural regions, while internet adoption among persons with disabilities is significantly lower than among the general population.
He added that the government is already working to expand 4G coverage in rural areas through the allocation of the 700 MHz spectrum. Other ongoing initiatives include revising spectrum pricing, introducing modern quality-of-service measurement guidelines, making smartphones more affordable, expanding installment-based smartphone purchases, assessing the phased retirement of 2G technology, and improving digital literacy nationwide.
Emdadul Bari also emphasized that every household should have at least one digitally skilled individual and called for Union Digital Centers to be strengthened as platforms for online assistance and digital guidance.
First Phase Achievements and Future Targets
During the event, Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Yasir Azman interacted with several beneficiaries of the initiative, who shared how the program had improved their educational opportunities, livelihoods, online income, and access to government services through enhanced digital skills.
Grameenphone said the first phase of the initiative reached more than 3.3 million people across 32 districts, with approximately 68 percent of the beneficiaries being women and adolescent girls.
In the second phase, the company aims to reach 4 million people by 2028, with women expected to account for at least 70 percent of all beneficiaries. The initiative is also expected to expand access to digital education, mobile financial services, online government services, digital birth registration, and opportunities to generate income through digital platforms.
//DBTech/MI/ME/OR//
