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Bangladesh entering 5G era

12 Dec 2021 00:00:00 | Update: 12 Dec 2021 02:09:05
Bangladesh entering 5G era

Bangladesh is all set to enter the 5G era. The state-owned mobile operator Teletalk will roll out a 5G trial run today marking the ‘Digital Bangladesh Day’, according to a report published in this newspaper on Saturday. Teletalk has been allotted 60 megahertz (MHz) 3.5 GHz band spectrum to launch 5G by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). We welcome this development.

When 4G first arrived in Bangladesh, many were skeptical of this phenomenon. Today, everyone is reaping its benefits. We believe that 5G will also be embraced wholeheartedly. 5G is not only important for communication technology, but is more important for innovative technology. It is 100 times faster than 4G, processing 1 GB of bandwidth within a few seconds. Sajeeb Wazed Joy, ICT advisor to the Prime Minister will inaugurate the launching ceremony, the report states. Posts and Telecommunications Division minister Mustafa Jabbar informed this newspaper that the initial plan is to launch the 5G network services in a few publicly important places such as Bangabhaban, Ganobhaban, Sangsad Bhaban, Prime Minister’s Office, Bangladesh Secretariat, and Dhanmondi 32. The authorities concerned are also trying to launch the technology in the two nationally important places such as Tungipara of Gopalganj and Shaheed Minar in the capital. Gradually 5G will be rolled out all over the country. And the special economic zones and the hi-tech parks are likely to be the first beneficiaries of this technology.

5G technology is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra-low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience. Not just Bangladesh the whole world is gearing up to embrace fifth-generation data service. Over a third of the world's countries currently have at least one live 5G network. Market mavens have been talking about the benefits of 5G for long. Business leaders and telecom experts feel that tapping into the potentials of 5G is a prerequisite for the economies that are keen to cash in on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 5G has the potential to benefit everything from entertainment, gaming, education, and public safety. The technology is designed to extend the scope of mobile technology beyond the capacities of 4G. Experts believe that 5G will be transformative, fueling innovation across every industry and every aspect of our lives. As Bangladesh rolls out 5G, it is crucial to understand the significance of this advanced technology and the implications 5G is likely to have for the agriculture, industries and businesses.

Things like Cloud, IoT (Internet of Things), Augmented Reality and AI-assisted technology will change the face of productions forever in the industries and increase the efficiency of handling goods in manifolds. The scope of error will get reduced to a great extent. From a viewer’s point of view, this technology will change the ways we experience contents. With the introduction of advanced functions of virtual reality, it will be possible to access content using sensorial dimension. The gamers will be able to enjoy gaming with lower latency rate and unlimited streaming.

5G could really turn into a gamechanger for a developing country like Bangladesh. However, to obtain the full benefits of this technology, Bangladesh needs to formulate a concrete plan. Rolling out this technology on a trial basis is not enough, rather we must devise a proper plan about how to gradually spread this network throughout the country so that the citizens can access 5G and enjoy the benefits. To do so, we need proper infrastructural facilities including higher spectrum allocation to ensure Quality of Services (QoS).

This is the perfect time to analyze the greater implications of this technology as we are going through digital transformation. At a time when the whole world is getting more and more reliant on technological innovations, 5G could herald the beginning of a new era defined by cutting-edge technologies and open new horizons.

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