Bangladesh Plans Smartphones for Tk 5,000

Bangladesh is planning to produce smartphones locally at prices ranging from Tk 4,000 to Tk 5,000 as part of efforts to bring digital services within reach of underserved communities. The government is also working towards finalising a national artificial intelligence (AI) policy within the next five to six months. Affordable devices, wider connectivity, unified digital identity, interoperable public services and stronger cybersecurity are among the key priorities outlined for the country's digital transformation.

Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan, secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Division, outlined these initiatives at the opening ceremony of Bangladesh TechConnect 2026 held on 27 October at the China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka. Organised by the Posts and Telecommunications Division in partnership with China-based global technology company Huawei, the conference focuses on connectivity, digital transformation and AI in Bangladesh.

Plans for Affordable Smartphones

Bhuiyan said the lowest-priced feature phones in Bangladesh currently cost around Tk 999, while entry-level smartphones cost approximately Tk 10,000. To make digital access more affordable, the government has taken steps towards producing smartphones locally in the Tk 4,000–5,000 price range.

Referring to a study or forecast by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), he said Bangladesh could become the world's ninth-largest consumer economy by 2030. Making digital devices more affordable and expanding reliable connectivity will be important to supporting broader participation in the digital economy.

The ICT secretary stressed that expanding network coverage alone would not deliver the full benefits of digitalisation. Connectivity must also be reliable and affordable, particularly for people living in marginalised and underserved areas.

He said the Posts and Telecommunications Division and the ICT Division were working to expand connectivity. He also referred to initiatives by the telecommunications division and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to expand 5G networks across the country.

One Citizen, One ID, One Digital Wallet

The government is also prioritising digital public infrastructure (DPI), with a vision of establishing a system built around “one citizen, one ID, one digital wallet.”

Bhuiyan said Bangladesh currently has multiple digital identity systems and that the government wants to integrate them into a unified framework.

Another priority is developing infrastructure that allows government agencies to exchange data securely and efficiently. Although the country has more than 1,000 digital services, data sharing between agencies remains limited in many cases.

This lack of interoperability can force citizens to provide the same information repeatedly and navigate multiple systems to access public services. An integrated infrastructure would help simplify service delivery and reduce these difficulties.

AI Policy and Bangla Language Technology

Bhuiyan identified AI as a major government priority and said work had begun on formulating a national AI policy, which the government aims to finalise within five to six months.

The ICT Division is also working on developing a Bangla large language model (LLM) and building the infrastructure needed to support AI development. Plans include creating shared computing infrastructure that researchers and innovators can access centrally.

He also stressed that cybersecurity must advance alongside digitalisation. Without appropriate security measures, digital transformation efforts may fail to deliver their intended benefits. The ICT Division is therefore working to strengthen the capacity of the country's cybersecurity agency to protect digital systems and citizens.

Connectivity, Infrastructure and Technology Manufacturing

The government's digital transformation priorities encompass connectivity, digital public infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity and technology manufacturing. If implemented, the proposed low-cost smartphone initiative could help reduce the affordability barrier that prevents some people from accessing digital services.

Saida Afroz, joint secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, presented the keynote paper at the opening ceremony. Faqir Mahbub Anam, minister responsible for posts, telecommunications, science and technology, and ICT, attended as the chief guest. Md. Kamruzzaman, secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, was present as a special guest.

Commenting on the event, Jason Wu, president of Huawei South Asia, said the company was committed to working with the government and industry partners to develop Bangladesh's digital infrastructure and expand technology adoption.

He said Huawei intended to leverage its capabilities in connectivity, cloud and AI to strengthen local industries, support the development of new services and contribute to Bangladesh's long-term digital growth.

//DBTech/IH/SME/NVNO//