Need of AI, IoT and Big Data will take broadband internet services to its peak: SM Iqbal

June 6 is a special day for Bangladesh in the history of telecom technology. Because, on this day in 1996, the first internet system was launched in Bangladesh. At that time, you had to connect to the Internet with the help of a telephone connection. It was called Dialup Internet. Information System Network (ISN), an Internet Service Provider (ISP) located at New Eskaton Road, Dhaka, ushered in this new era in the country by providing the first Internet-connection. The company started online internet service with 64 kbps bandwidth from bangla.net domain. More than two and a half decades later, coincidentally, the 53rd Budget was proposed on the same day. However, in this budget, VAT on internet services has been increased from 5% to 20%. Broadband Internet services are excluded from ITES services. In this reality, ISN former managing director Shaheen Mahmood Iqbal, popularly known as SM Iqbal, gave an interview to DigiBanglatec Executive Editor SM Imdadul Haque.

Before the Q&A session, let's take a look at the past of Internet in Bangladesh. In 1996, at the end of the caretaker government, online internet was allowed in Bangladesh. However, one and a half to two years ago, Agni Systems Limited, Pradeshta and Drik were providing e-mail services in the country on a limited 'offline' internet basis. This service was used by the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B). Artificial satellite V-SAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) technology was used to connect to the Internet from Bangladesh. Then on June 6, 1996, ISN launched online internet service at the office of Aitochu Corporation in Gulshan. The cost of using the internet was Tk. 5 per minute. Grameen-Cybernet, PrashikaNet, ICC Communications and other ISPs started their journey along this path. At present there are about 2500 ISPs providing this internet service. SM Iqbal is the founder president of Internet Service Providers association of Bangladesh-ISPAB, an organization of ISP traders. He is the former president of Bangladesh Computer Association as well. At the same time, the former Bangladeshi Director of the World Information Service Alliance (WITSA). After graduating from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Mr. Shaheen Mahmood Iqbal went to Bangkok for Post-graduation. Then he returned home to join ICDDR,B. And formed his own business, Internet Service Network-ISN.

Digibtech: June 6 is a special day for internet in Bangladesh. The budget was given on the same day. How far have we progressed in this long period of more than two and a half decades of internet service?

SM Iqbal: On June 6, 1996, Bangladesh first entered the online Internet. As such, the age of internet service in our country is 28 years i.e., more than two eras. Dialup in earlier days, Broadband Internet later, WiMAX Internet in between, Internet on mobile phones and even Internet on satellite phones is undoubtedly a lot of progress. Connectivity from neighboring countries over multiple submarine cables and terrestrial links, leaving satellites on the backbone, has made internet services much more resilient and uninterrupted.

Digibtech: I would like to know your assessment on the increase in internet tax in the proposed budget on the day of entry of online internet service era in the country.

SM Iqbal: In the beginning, there was no license and no VAT. Later on, license and VAT are added. Internet is a key component in the proposed Smart Bangladesh development. Therefore, any tax or VAT imposed on it, will prevent us from reaching our target.

Digitech: From the experience of providing Internet connection in the country more two and a half decades ago, how independent do you think today's ISP business is?

SM Iqbal: Initially internet service was provided through dialup by installing modem along with telephone line. After that, the last mile started i.e., Internet service through broadband connectivity by installing fiber optic cable and UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable at the marginal stage, VSAT – Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT – Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite connectivity was in the backbone. By doing this we pretty much turned the entire city into a jungle of wires. In the case of back-bone, instead of satellites, submarine cables have been added, but the jungle of cables still remains in the last mile. Although WiMAX has created immense potential in removing this cable jungle, due to the stubborn decision of the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission of the then caretaker government, the two WiMAX service providers in the country have disappeared today. No one dared to buy their third license. However, currently two companies are trying to deliver optical fiber underground to homes, but its reach has not been extended far. Internet services have spread across the country due to the efforts of the telephone companies and BTCL, an institution of the Bangladesh government, to build a nationwide optical fiber network. Mobile phone companies are delivering internet bandwidth to consumers through 3G and 4G. This keeps the wires from getting tangled. However, broadband services are preferred by most of the customers. They feel comfortable with this connection in terms of speed and cost. Smart users, however, maintain their service continuity and excellence through both.

Security in business is largely institutional, and those institutions that make the right use of income and expenditure benefit. And those who can't do it, they leave. Thousands of services giving organizations have survived by realizing this meaning.

Digitech: Is ISPAB going in the right direction in protecting the interests of internet businessmen and establishing smart internet services in the country?

SM Iqbal: ISPAB has many problems. At least compared to other ICT associations. Apart from tax VAT, they have various licensing issues. They often have to negotiate with the government. As a result, it is very difficult to walk in the right direction. But they are always quite vocal about the issues. Even if it doesn't solve it, it tries. Banani's central office with more than two thousand members is indicative of their advanced organizational infrastructure.

Digitech: What do you plan to cross the hurdles?

SM Iqbal: Undoubtedly government sponsorship will act as the biggest catalyst. But in addition to this, we have to make a special contribution to the new generation of innovative power, to exploit the new possibilities of information technology and to produce through them. At the same time, we should contribute to the nation by adding new technologies through research.

Digitech: How sustainable can we make the Internet in citizen empowerment and national growth?

SM Iqbal: The Internet has changed the traditional pyramid type of management into a flat structure. It is not supposed to change in our country either. Because an email address is enough to exchange any information above. Also, there are numerous apps so clearly citizens are empowered in that sense. However, how much progress has been made in management is a matter of objective observation. It can be said that the use of information technology and internet in government management has greatly enriched its growth. In all cases, there is room for improvement, this is no exception. And whether sustainable? It is difficult to comment on that. Government establishments cannot always be said to be providing uninterrupted services. Besides, it is not that hacking is not heard from time to time. So, sustainability will take time.

Digitech: Internet today is more of a service than a business. In that case, what is the future of broadband services in the face of challenges and possibilities?

SM Iqbal: internet is both a business and services. I think one complements the other. If there is no business, the service mentality will fly away. It doesn't really matter which is heavier in the scale.
At one time it was very difficult to get internet content. Nowadays social media and other mediums have created endless possibilities and demands for it. On top of that, due to the addition of Big Data, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things), the data volume of the Internet is exponentially higher. As a result, the demand for broadband internet will naturally be high and this demand will take it to the peak of potential.

Digitech: Thank you for your time.

SM Iqbal: Thanks to you too. Thanks to DigiBanglaTech family members and readers who have read my interview for so long.