Shyam Sundar Sikder, Chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), called for working together to ensure fair, secure and affordable technology for all ages. He made the call in his welcome address at a discussion meeting on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Day-2022 held at Osmani Memorial Hall in the capital on Sunday, May 29, 2022.
In his presentation, BTRC Chairman highlighted the progress of the current telecommunication sector in the country. He said that in 2006 there were 2 crore mobile connection users in the country, which in April 2022 stood at 18 crore 34 lakh. In 2006, there were only 1.5 million Internet connection users, which stood at 124.2 million in April 2022. As of April 2022, there are 11 million fixed broadband users.
As of February 2022, the number of registered mobile financial service recipients in the country is 11 crore 61 lakh. International Internet bandwidth usage in the country was 7.5 Gbps in 2008 which stood at 3,850 Gbps in May 2022. In 2008, the price of internet bandwidth per Mbps was BDT 27,000 which in June 2021 stood at BDT 285. Smartphone users were 0.1 percent in 2008, up from 48 percent in April 2022. In 2008, the country’s tele-density was 34.5 percent, in April 2022, which is 105.85 %. He further said that at present 100% of the people of the country are covered under 2G network and 98% of the people are getting the benefit of 4G network. Teletalk has already launched 5G services on an experimental basis in six places in the capital, added Shyam Sundar Sikder.
He also said that work is underway to formulate 5G Guideline, Broadband Policy-2022, Telecom Network Policy-2023, OTT Policy and Active Sharing Policy.
He further said that at present Bangladesh has a population rate of 6% over 65 years, 69% of people aged 15 to 64 years and 26% under 14 years of age. However, the elderly people in Bangladesh are using less internet services than the older people in the world and are lagging behind in terms of inclusion in digital technology.
To this end, the BTRC Chairman urged the government, telecommunication and digital service providers, academia and all concerned to come forward and take necessary steps to ensure healthy aging and improved digital life of the elderly using digital technology.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) Managing Director Dr. Md. Rafiqul Matin highlighting the theme of the day. He said that the number of people aged 65 and above in the country was 3.85% in 2000, which increased to 5.23% in 2020. According to the ITU, the number of elderly people will double in 2050. He further said that initiatives need to be taken to empower the elderly and make them functional. To do this, create an online portal where seniors can find a job of their choice, purchase the products they need through e-commerce and access telemedicine services online. In addition, arrangements should be made so that social media can be used spontaneously.
Additional Secretary of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam also discussed the topic. He said that despite the current increase in the number of elderly people in the world, Bangladesh will enjoy the benefits of demographic dividend or demographic dividend till 2031. Therefore, in order to make the working people efficient, everyone has to work together and take measures so that all the facilities of technology for the elderly can be utilized.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Md. Khalilur Rahman, Secretary, Department of Posts and Telecommunications said that the common people has enjoyed the benefits of various digital initiatives of the present government and as broadband facility has reached remote areas of the country, people are getting opportunity to avail various public and private services. In addition, work is underway to launch a second satellite and connect to a third submarine cable. He called upon the people to take initiative so that everyone can be aware of the steps taken by the government.
Brigadier General Mohammad Nasim Parvez, Director General of Systems and Services of the Commission, gave a brief presentation on the memorandum published by BTRC. Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mostafa Jabbar was the chief guest at the unveiling of the memorandum.
In a video message on the occasion, Haolin Zhao, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), said that ensuring equal access to digital technology for all is not only a moral obligation, it is essential for the prosperity and sustainable development of the world.
It may be noted that, World Telecommunication Day has been observed annually since 17 May 1969 as a symbol of the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union on 17 May 1865 and the holding of the first International Telegraph Conference. Later, at the ITU conference in November 2006, it was decided to observe World Telecommunication and Information Union Day on 17 May. World Telecommunication and Information Union Day 2022 is celebrated in Bangladesh every year like other countries in the world, keeping in view the theme ‘Digital Technologies for Older Persons and Healthy Aging’.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mostafa Jabbar inaugurated the road show at BTRC premises in the morning to mark the day. BTRC Chairman Shyam Sundar Sikder, Secretary of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications Md. Khalilur Rahman along with senior officials of BTRC and representatives of various organizations related to the sector were present on the occasion. BTCL, Telephone Industry Corporation, Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited, Postal Department, Mobile Operators, Mobile Handset Manufacturers, NTTN Operators, Bangladesh Computer Samity, ISPAB, ICX Operators, and agencies including IIG Operators under Posts and Telecommunications Department took part in the road show.
