Unused BTCL assets to be activated
Airports to Expand Wi-Fi, Cut Internet Costs
- Wi-Fi expansion is planned across the country’s international airports
- Internet costs and broadband infrastructure will receive greater attention
- AI, cybersecurity and safe internet projects will be accelerated
Bangladesh plans to expand Wi-Fi services at international airports and reduce the cost of internet services as part of a broader effort to strengthen digital infrastructure. The plan also includes activating unused assets of state-owned Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL), expanding modern parcel services under the postal department and strengthening broadband infrastructure.
The issues were discussed in detail at the first meeting of the 13th National Parliament’s Standing Committee on the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, held at the National Parliament House on Wednesday, September 30.
The meeting was chaired by committee chairman Kolim Uddin Ahmed. Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faqir Mahbub Anam attended the meeting along with committee members and lawmakers Md. Abul Khair Bhuiyan, Md. Tamiz Uddin, Md. Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan, Mansura Akter, Md. Keramat Ali and Said Uddin Ahmad Hanjala.
The meeting began with a formal introduction among the committee chairman, members and senior ministry officials. The committee was then briefed on the existing manpower, functions, recent achievements and future plans of departments and agencies under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology.
The ministry presented information on policy formulation and implementation in the postal and telecommunications sectors, data and spectrum management, the domestic telecommunications industry, postal parcel services and ongoing Wi-Fi services across the country.
The meeting discussed Wi-Fi services at international airports, plans to reduce internet costs, the activation of unused BTCL assets and expansion of postal parcel services. The committee also issued directions to improve public access to land services and introduce a system to preserve accurate addresses of citizens in the postal department’s database.
The committee stressed expanding strong broadband infrastructure and ensuring reliable and affordable digital services. It also highlighted the development of an AI-enabled Bangladesh and wider use of digital payment systems to support cashless transactions.
The committee also emphasized stronger cybersecurity, round-the-clock call centres for direct resolution of customer complaints and faster implementation of projects aimed at ensuring safe internet use among children, adolescents and secondary-level students.
The committee recommended greater use of information and communication technology to develop young people’s skills, create employment and support the establishment of a knowledge-based society. It also stressed the need to expand technology-based opportunities for the new generation.
The committee further recommended immediate effective measures to improve the service quality of state-owned telecommunications operator Teletalk and make its services more customer-friendly.
The first meeting of the standing committee was attended by the secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, the secretary of the ICT Division, heads of major departments and agencies under the ministry, and relevant senior officials of the National Parliament Secretariat.
//DBTech/ENT/DPO/SMP//
