DHAKA: Bangladesh is the 10th in world ranking with around 11.75 crore mobile phone subscribers out of its some 16 crore people.

Out of 700 crores people of the world, 680 crores use mobile phones.

The information was disclosed in a workshop titled ‘Development of Strategy and Operational Procedures for Implementing ICT based Approach in Dealing with SRHR and HIV Issues’ at Spectra Convention Centre at Gulshan in city on Wednesday.

Chief Executive of Ethics Advanced Technology Limited (EATL) Dr Nizam Uddin Ahmed presented the report at the workshop.

The report said mobile phone was first used in Bangladesh in 1993 and the use of mobile phones was ensured in almost all the upazilas in 2011.

The number of mobile phone subscribers reached to around 12 crore in 2014, the report added.

It also said around four crore people use internet and one crore people use facebook through mobile phone.

The report added: “Around 96 percent of the internet users browse internet using their mobile phones. 80 percent of Bangladeshi farmers are using mobile phones to markets and contact buyers, 50 percent of them sell products directly via mobile phone,” the report added.

It also said that the age of 45 percent internet users’ is less than 25.

People can complete their important works with the help of mobile phones, including communication through e-mail, facebook, banking, money exchange, playing games, taking photos, reading e-books through r-reader. Besides, people are taking healthcare through mobile internet services.

The report also said that the desktop computers will go to the museum in the next five years and the use of laptop also will decrease.

Addressing the workshop, Additional Secretary of ICT Division Kamal Uddin Ahmed said people would be making aware about HIV through ICT.

He also said, “Electronic communication is predominant mode of communication in the world. Incumbent government has been taking various initiatives to keep the system ongoing. We can talk to all the places from the administration through video conference. We are performing all the tasks through a device.”

Kamal Uddin further said, “One can be self-dependent by taking ICT education; one can earn through freelancing.”

Line Director of National AIDS/STD Project Zahi Uddin Babar and other high ups of Management Information System (MIS) also were present in the function.

BDST: 2226 HRS, OCT 22, 2014