Mr. Guangzhe Chen, Global Director for Transport and Regional Director for Infrastructure in South Asia, World Bank, met with Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar on a virtual platform on Tuesday.
Dandan Chen, Acting Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan and Rajesh Rohatgi. Program Leader (Infrastructure) for Bangladesh and Bhutan at The World Bank were connected in this meeting.
Postal and Telecommunications Secretary Md. Afzal Hossain and BTRC Chairman Shyam Sundar Sikder were also present.
Brig Gen Md Nasim Parvez, director general (DG) of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission presented four recommendations to the meeting to overcome the existing challenges in the telecom sector. He highlighted the need to establishment broadband connectivity in every educational institution of the country, implementation through BTRC’s National Cyber Threat Analysis, Detection and Prevention Center. Besides, the BTRC Director-General presented the need to expand Teletalk’s 5G network and expand the WiFi zone in the busiest areas across the country through BTCCL.
The delegation highlighted the positive position of the World Bank is standing by Bangladesh in addressing these challenges.
In his speech, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar outlined the programs and future action plans taken by the government to bring digital connectivity to every doorstep of the people, including the expansion of digital connectivity.
He said, Bangladesh has made preparations to take part in the fourth industrial revolution under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina even though it did not take part in the past three industrial revolutions. We continue to strive to bring digital connectivity to almost every person in the country, including remote areas. He mentioned that the government is formulating guidelines with policies to create necessary opportunities for the private sector.
The delegation was briefed on the role of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications in the Covid-19 overhaul, the current picture of broadband connectivity in Bangladesh, the current challenges in the telecom sector, and what needs to be done to overcome the challenges.
