State Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, has stated that the government is committed to bringing high-speed broadband internet to every home.
He said, "The Digital Bangladesh initiative has already connected high-speed broadband internet to almost every union in the country, covering over three lakh square kilometres with optical broadband internet connections.
“In 2006, the country had only 50,000 kilometres of optical fibre connections. The cost of internet service for the general public has been set at Tk 60 per Mbps to make it affordable and easily accessible."
He mentioned that the cost was previously Tk 78 per Mbps in 2006.
Palak made these remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the private office of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) in the capital on Monday.
Before any unforeseen incidents occur, Palak urged ISPs to inform the relevant authorities immediately and emphasised the need to take precautions to prevent any disruptions to internet services.
He mentioned that the architect of Digital Bangladesh, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, has played a crucial role in the country's remarkable success in the last 15 years.
He highlighted the significant achievements of Bangladesh in the information sector since the inception of the V-Sat in 1996 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Under her dynamic leadership, 98 per cent of the country's area is now covered by 4G networks.
The backbone of a Smart Bangladesh will be the internet, said Palak.
Presided over by ISPAB President Imdadul Haque, the function was addressed, among others, by BTRC Chairman Engineer Md Mohiuddin Ahmed and ISPAB General Secretary Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan.
