National roaming to be open to all operators by September: Palak

Bangabandhu thought that science and technology will be the source of economic power. Therefore, a scientist was appointed as a member of ITU with the responsibility of education policy. Then he focused on developing the telecommunication sector on a partnership basis. On the 54th anniversary of Independence Day, on Tuesday, March 26, the state minister for posts, telecommunications and information technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak inaugurated the pilot project of active network sharing between the state-owned telecom operator Teletalk and the global private operator Banglalink.

While speaking as the chief guest at the opening ceremony, the state minister thanked the BTRC chairman and his team for launching the national roaming service at the earliest.

Palak said, I have started roaming in the last one month. My experience is good. After that experience today 2000 customers are being given this opportunity through data analysis. There are 8 thousand more customers waiting. National Roaming will be launched next September after a successful trial. This is how we can move forward in the gig economy.

Referring to the simple way to solve the problem of 'Teletalk, which is plagued with numerous problems', the state minister said, if we are sincere, strategic and create partnership opportunities in business, we will be able to save the government institutions from losses and turn them into profit. For that purpose, we will create partnership with various non-governmental organizations with the postal department. We will work as a supporting force rather than a competitor.

Regarding Teletalk-Banglalink roaming services, Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that now customers will get service from 20,000 towers with 6,000 towers of Teletalk and 14,000 towers of Banglalink. Banglalink customers can now use Teletalk's network in Sundarbans or Bandarban; Teletalk customers too will get better service wherever Teletalk's network was weak. Both parties will benefit from it.

State Minister Palak said, Bangabandhu realized 52 years ago that science and technology will be one of the tools to achieve our economic power. Education will be one of the tools of economic, social and cultural liberation. But after the assassination of Bangabandhu, we have been taken on a completely opposite direction from that ideology and spirit. In fact, the liberation war, Bangabandhu and Bangladesh are one and inseparable. There should be no debate on these three issues among politicians, administrative officers, journalists, business leaders, scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs. I personally think that no one should have any hesitation about this.

In his speech, Zunaid Ahmed Palak highlighted the plan to take Teletalk, BTCL, TSS and Dostal Department to a profitable stage by sharing resources among themselves. He said that Teletalk and Postal office will be taken to Agargaon soon. At the same time strict action will be taken against dishonest and lazy employees of these organizations.

At the request of Banglalink's Corporate Affairs Taimur Rahman, Palak recited the poem Swadinota Tumi (O Independence! You are…) for the first time. At the end of the program, Taimur Rahman told the reporters that there will be no cost for roaming in the pilot project.

However, after the trial period, a reasonable price will be charged and although it will be started with Teletalk in the beginning, Banglalink customers will also get this roaming service within the next few weeks, he said.

The event held at BCC Auditorium of ICT Tower, Agargaon on the occasion of Great Independence and National Day. The program was presided over by Managing Director of Hi-Tech Park Authority GSM Zafar Ullah.

BCC Executive Director Ranjit Kumar delivered his welcome speech on the occasion. In his speech, he expressed his determination to build Smart Bangladesh, the modern form of Bangabandhu's Sonar Bangla. He said, expansion and development of information and communication technology, inclusive and human resource development have been achieved by giving priority to the development of all people in the last decade and a half.

Post and Telecommunication Secretary Abu Hena Morshed Zaman, Information Technology Secretary Shamsul Arefin, BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited Chairman Dr. Shahjahan Mahmud, Banglalink CEO Erik Aas and Teletalk Managing Director Habibur Rahman also addressed the event as special guests.

Telecom Secretary Abu Hena Morshed Zaman said that only Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has led and managed the formation of a nation state in 5000 years. From Shashank to Sirajuddoula, no one was a Bengali. They did not embody the nation state or the aspirations of the people. Perhaps Bangladesh would not have existed today if he was not born. That is why he is the best Bengali of a thousand years.

Information and Communication Technology Secretary Shamsul Arefin said, we have used information technology as a tool to achieve Bangabandhu's economic liberation and self-reliance after independence. We are attracting investment, building new entrepreneurs, innovators and startup eco systems.

BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiudiidan Ahmed said that Bangabandhu gave the call and everyone jumped into the liberation war. This is not the case. Bangabandhu became the youngest minister by winning the 1954 United Front elections. Led the language movement from jail in 1952. Despite being expelled from Dhaka University, he raised the six-point demands of the 1962 education movement and 1966. He has become an undisputed leader with the trust of the common people. The entire Bengali had faith in him. In the 1970's elections, he got the highest number of votes and caught everyone's attention. The Father of the Nation was a leader who knew when to do what. He called for freedom right away. You can't be free by fighting. This requires undisputed leadership. We are lucky that Bangabandhu was born in our country. According to Bangabandhu's dream, independence would only be meaningful if a self-reliant economy could be built.

Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited Chairman Dr. Shahjahan Mahmud said, looking at Bangabandhu's biography, it can be seen that he thought about the liberation of Bengalis all his life. His whole life thought was for the benefit of the people and Bengalis. It was his movements for the liberation of Bengalis that made him the father of the nation later than Bangabandhu.

In his welcome speech, Banglalink CEO Erik Aas said, I came to Bangladesh 23 years ago. I love this country and its people. I think I am a partner in the development of this country. In the last 15 years I have seen great development in this country. I saw people's excellent mentality and very qualified leadership. Every year I see economic prosperity of this country as well as reduction of illiteracy, development of infrastructure as a benchmark. Today, sharing the infrastructure of Banglalink with Teletalk does not mean that the two companies are merging. This means, both organizations are standing by both sides when needed in customer service.

Teletalk Managing Director Habibur Rahman said, today we stand tall for Bangabandhu. That is why today is a special day for Teletalk. Today Banglalink will give us the official opportunity to share their network. We hope that if the pilot project is successful, it will save investment in the telecommunication sector. At the same time the customer will also get better service. We hope that there will be a revolutionary change in the telecommunication sector.