Grameenphone has signed several agreements with Aspire to Innovate (a2i) to bring the contactless delivery facility of ‘DigiBox’, along with unveiling an efficient and convenient ‘Direct Operator Billing (DOB)’ payment facility.
Grameenphone signed an agreement with a2i on December 18 to include Direct Operator Billing (DOB) as a payment facility for 33 government services. This facility will ensure fast, secure and convenient payment services for all; In particular, DOB will play an effective role in providing government benefits to those in rural and remote areas who are out of service of banking and financial sector institutions. The project director (joint secretary) of a2i Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir presided over the contract signing ceremony. Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman and a2i’s Head of Business Development Rezwanul Haque Jami were also present along with representatives from both sides.
With the aim of building Smart Bangladesh from Digital Bangladesh by 2041, this service will be launched in larger and strategically important sectors in the future, which will play a role in unlocking the potential of digital for more than 8 crore Grameenphone customers across the country. This partnership between Grameenphone and a2i will contribute to future growth of both parties and help empower society. It will be considered as an important step towards achieving bigger goals in the future.
On the same day, another agreement was signed between the parties concerned for the placement of ‘DigiBox’ at GP House. As a result, certain boxes ordered online will be delivered securely through contactless means for all Grameenphone employees. While collecting the ordered products from Daraz, the parcel receiver can receive his box securely using OTP verification without directly meeting the delivery agent at his convenient time.
Grameenphone Chief Executive Yasir Azman said, “As the connectivity partner of Digital Bangladesh, we consider ourselves responsible for using innovation and technology to transform people’s lives in the country. Grameenphone is working relentlessly with technology-based concepts and features in our services so that Grameenphone users across the country can fully utilize the benefits of digital media. We will bring more features like DOB and DigiBox in future. And with these benefits, we, as a developed nation will be at the forefront of our anticipated digital revolution and achieve our goal of inclusiveness.”
Project Director (Joint Secretary) of a2i Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir said, “Digital Bangladesh has brought an unimaginable change in our lives, thinking and decision-making to serve the citizens of the country and drive continuous innovation to build a smart Bangladesh. If the ministry, a2i and telecom companies had not worked together during the Covid-19 pandemic, we could have faced a worse situation. Grameenphone and a2i are working on many projects and the partnership between these two parties has made a real contribution to the citizens of Bangladesh. In continuation of this partnership, we look forward to further strengthen our partnership with Grameenphone through the inauguration of the program, which will further strengthen the commitment of both parties in serving the citizens.”
The relationship with Grameenphone Limited and a2i has strengthened over the years. Grameenphone and a2i are working together for the overall development and growth of the country. Earlier, they worked on partnership basis in 14 different sectors, some of which joint ventures have had a significant impact on the society and received appreciation from all over the country. During the global pandemic, Grameenphone and a2i jointly launched the ‘618 Teachers Honors’ initiative. At the same time, Grameenphone has partnered with the Department of Health, a2i, BTRC, BRAC, WHO and UNICEF to provide various benefits to citizens in post-Covid period.
