Stakeholders want free internet to reduce digital inequality

Bangladesh School of Internet Governance (bdSIG) is being organized by the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum. The three-day bdSIG is being held with the participation of participants from the Internet world. As Chief Guest, Hasanul Haque Inu, Chairman, Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum inaugurated the opening ceremony of bdSIG on Thursday, May 26, 2022. Secretary General of Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu welcomed the participants at the beginning of the program. During this time he gave a brief presentation on the various events of bdSIG held from 2017 to date with the objective of bdSIG. AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC and one of the founders of BIGF, then discussed about the activities of IGF and its trajectory from the World Summit on Information Society. Ayesha Labiba, Representative of Kids IGF, Ashrafur Rahman Piyas on behalf of bdSIG, Mrs. Syeda Kamrun Jahan Ripa on behalf of Youth IGF, Mrs. Farha Mahmud Trina, Convener, Women Internet Governance Forum spoke on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Md. Touhid Hossain, General Secretary, Bangladesh Association of Contact Centers and Outsourcing (BACCO) said, “Internet is the lifeblood of digital society but we have to work for meaningful internet connection.” Md. Mohammad Zahirul Islam, Managing Director of Smart Technologies (BD) Ltd. also emphasized keeping the cyber world safe and providing internet accessible and free if possible in order to establish a digital equitable society. Describing several steps taken by the government, Md. Imdadul Haque, President of Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), emphasized ensuring broadband connectivity at village level. Hasanul Haque Inu, Chairperson of Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, spoke on the use of internet and digital society as the chief guest. "E-commerce is playing an important role in our lives, but the internet should be affordable and ensure that everyone is treated equally," he said. If it is possible to reduce the digital gap, free internet or its price should be made accessible to all citizens. "We need to build the infrastructure. Other devices should be made accessible to all," he said. Ensuring digital security for all is a matter of urgency. Reduce VAT and taxes for telecom companies to provide affordable rates to the public. Reducing the price of smartphones, digital cell for the Prime Minister's Office, digital literacy for all and formation of National Cyber ​​Security Committee. The Internet should be considered as a basic human right for the people of Bangladesh.