The World Bank has sought the advice of ISPAB, an organization of Internet service providers, to expand broadband internet to grassroots as well as build inclusive digital networks.
The World Bank’s senior digital development expert Rajendra Singh and DDE Supern Roy held a bilateral meeting at the organization’s Banani office on Tuesday.
The meeting was chaired by ISPAB President Imdadul Haque and was attended by senior vice president Saiful Islam Siddique, secretary general Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan, joint secretary general Abdul Qayyum Rashed, director Nasir Uddin and ISPAB executive director Major (Retired) Mahmud Shahed.
During the meeting, the World Bank representatives discussed the existing barriers and challenges in the field of last minute connectivity in Internet services and ways to overcome them. Discussions were held on speedy implementation of active sharing for ISPs, inclusion of ITES and duty-friendly policy on import of VAT-tax and network expansion equipment.
At the meeting, ISPAB leaders said they had made specific proposals to the government to increase broadband penetration from 7 per cent. If these are implemented, they are working to present Bangladesh as a role model for the world by making the broadband internet ‘one country one rate model’ sustainable. The representatives of the World Bank said that they would extend all possible assistance to the government at the policy-making level to the issues discussed at the meeting.