DHAKA: Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina on Monday said country’s 99 percent area has come under the coverage of 3rd generation mobile network (3G mobile network).
The premier hopped that 4th generation network will be launched soon and the more opportunities in using information and communication technology (ICT) will advance the country.
The premier was addressing a program on the occasion of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day and the 150th anniversary of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as chief guest at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in city on Monday.
The premier said that they began the implementation of ‘Digital Bangladesh’ since taking power in 2009.
Her government has made widespread infrastructural development to provide the benefits of telecommunication and ICT to every corner of the country.
When forming the government in 2009, the country had a total of 5 crores land and mobile phone users, which has been increased to nearly 12.5 crore presently, she informed the audience.
People are using some 123,690,000 mobile SIMs across the country.
‘During BNP’s tenure, number of internet subscribers was 40 lakhs only. At present, it has stood at 4.5 crores approximately,’ she added.
According to the PM, internet-density increased by 27.42 percent from 2.5 percent in last six years. Tele-density has increased by 2.5 folds, standing at 80 percent.
The premier further said that Betbunia Satellite Earth Station built by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 laying the foundation of telecommunication for newly-born Bangladesh of that time.
Country has now been advancing in ICT in line with the contribution of Bangabandhu, she added.
Mentioning that Bangabandhu had kept significant contribution to post and telecommunication during his three-and-a-half-year tenure, Hasina said that Bangladesh joined the ITU for the sincerer effort of Father of the Nation in 1973.
Two years later, Bangabandhu built Betbunia Satellite Earth Station on June 14, 1975, she added.
The premier said that several days after building the earth station, Bangabandhu and his family members were assassinated in August 15, 1975. As a result, progress in telecommunication sector came to a halt like other sectors.
Hasina said that Bangladesh is now in third position in outsourcing and has a big place in southeast Asia considering overall information and technology sector.
In addition, country’s poverty will be reduced by 10 more percent over the next three years, she hoped.
State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministry Imran Ahmed and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Sunil Kanti Bose, among others, were present at the function, chaired by Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Faizur Rahman Chowdhury.
Every year, World Telecommunication Day is celebrated on May 17 since 1969 to mark the establishment of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.
This year the theme of the Day is "Telecommunication and ICTs: Drivers of Innovation".
BDST: 2115 HRS, MAY 18, 2015
HB/RR
