The Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar reiterated the issue of setting specific internet prices for mobile operators out of the system of buying bandwidth and selling data. He said that digital connectivity and digital transformation of education are essential to build a smart Bangladesh. We are working with the responsibility to bring the people of the country on the highway of digital connectivity. Broadband internet has been brought under one country one rate to make internet accessible. This method will also be implemented in the case of mobile internet.
The minister expressed his thought while addressing as the Chief Guest at a discussion meeting organized by the Department of Posts and Telecommunications at Osmani Smriti Auditorium in the capital on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2023.
Chairman of BTRC Shyam Sundar Sikder presented the main article as the main speaker in the program chaired by the Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Abu Hena Morshed Zaman. Chairman of Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited Dr. Shahjahan Mahmud, Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Digital University, Bangladesh Dr. Mohammad Mahfuzul Islam and Additional Secretary, Department of Posts and Telecommunications Mahbub-ul-Alam spoke on the occasion.
Digital transformation of connectivity and education is essential in a smart Bangladesh
The Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar highlighted the significance of the World Telecommunication and Information Union (WTI) conference and said that membership of the International Telecommunications Union and Universal Postal Union in 1973; the establishment of the Geo-satellite Center in Betbunya on June 14, 1975; the formation of the T&T Board and the expansion of technical education were among the programs undertaken. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman initiated a revolutionary change in the development of telecommunication technology. The seeds sown by Bangabandhu of digital industrial revolution germinated and became saplings in five years from 1996 to 2001 under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh has been the wonder of the world for the past 14 years since 2009, following the implementation of the Digital Bangladesh program announced by the visionary politician Sheikh Hasina in 2008. Digital connectivity is essential in establishing Digital Bangladesh.
In continuation of this, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and under the guidance of Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Advisor Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, the architect of digital transformation, the Department of Posts and Telecommunications has taken and implemented various ground-breaking programs in the last 14 years to build multifaceted digital infrastructure, including the construction of digital connectivity highways to ensure digital connectivity.
The minister also said that when the present government assumed responsibility in 2009, the teledensity of Bangladesh was 30 percent. Currently (up to February-2023) this rate has increased to 104.37 percent. Whereas in 2008, there were 4 crore 46 lakh mobile subscribers, currently (as of February-2023) it has crossed 18 crore 26 lakh. At that time there were only 40 lakh internet subscribers in the country, currently as of February-2023) this number is 12 crore 50 lakh. Bandwidth usage which was 7.5 Gbps has now crossed almost 4100 Gbps.
This pioneer of digital technology development said that May 17 is a unique day in the national life of Bangladesh, this day is a very important day for the Bengali nation. On this day, Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangabandhu, entered Bangladesh after overcoming six years of struggle, suffering and various adversities. If he had not taken bold and visionary programs like the Digital Bangladesh Program in 2008, we would not have got the Bangladesh we have today.
He said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina introduced 2G in the country in 1997, 3G in 2013, 4G in 2018 and 5G in 2021.
While speaking as the President of the program, the Posts and Telecommunications Secretary said that Bangladesh will be a developed and prosperous Bangladesh in the year 2041 with the continuation of the implementation of Smart Bangladesh, a leader in the world of technology. He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation of Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla after assuming office. In the last 14 years, she has set a precedent for the development of Bangladesh. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, under the guidance of Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy and under the able leadership of the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in developing digital connectivity.
BTRC Chairman in his keynote emphasized the need for smart connectivity, smart device enhancement, human resource development training, smart progress monitoring and R&D to meet the challenges of implementing Smart Bangladesh.
Dr. Shahjahan Mahmud said, emphasizing the need to make digital technology easily available to eliminate the digital divide, there is no alternative to increase the use of digital technology in empowering the less developed countries.
Dr. Muhammad Mahfuzul Islam said, we should increase the use of technology in education. Now, by using classroom technology, teachers can teach students from any part of the world. So we have to increase the use of technology in education. Otherwise we will go backwards. In the future world, it is impossible to survive without big data and blockchain, so we need to move forward with importance on these issues now.
Mahbub-ul-Alam presented the picture of Bangladesh’s remarkable success in the implementation of digital programs.
Release of Postal Stamp
Meanwhile, on the occasion of ‘World Telecommunication and Information Society Day-2023’ on May 17, the Department of Posts has released a commemorative postage stamp of 10 taka, an opening envelope of 10 taka, a data card of 5 taka and a special seal. Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mr. Mustafa Jabbar released commemorative postage stamps and inaugural envelopes from the official residence on Bailey Road from Digital Platform- at a function organized to celebrate the day at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka today.