Ensure digital access for all

According to a report of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the total internet subscribers are 11 crores 18 lakh 75 thousand. Of these, 10 crores 23 lakh 53 thousand use mobile internet. And the number of broadband internet connections has reached 95 lakh 22 thousand. The information is available from the latest internet connection calculations published in the report.

Inequality is a term that is quite familiar to us. We hear the words financial inequality, social inequality, or political inequality all the time. In this age of technological advancement, we see a new inequality, digital inequality. There is no denying that technology has changed the lives of countless people. However, many people are being deprived of the benefits of using technology, which must be accepted and it’s a reality.

During this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, normal life was disrupted in almost every country in the world. Many countries have made their daily activities online to ensure personal and financial security. Educational institutions or office courts have had to resort to technology as an alternative in all cases. The discussion of digital inequality is now so widespread. Many people in the world are deprived of the benefits of technology. Online classes, offices, etc. are a terrible name for them. Digital inequality is a global problem. Many countries in the developed world are suffering from this problem. As seen in America and Europe, many people lag in technology. Again, various social classifications are also associated with it. The region, gender, socio-economic status is also associated with digital inequality. It is easy to see that the situation is worse in developing countries like ours.

Many of us have heard that many students have had to travel far from home to attend online classes; many people had to take classes even after climbing the tree. These are just a reflection of the problems created by digital inequality. We may see many more negative aspects of digital inequality upfront. If we look at the big business media of today, we can see that a good part of them have become online dependent. We all know about Google, Amazon, Alibaba, Facebook, etc. these companies are doing billions of dollars of business relying on online. Online shopping has also started in our country. Many people will move forward in this century using technology. However, many people will be deprived of technological benefits. There is no doubt that this will increase economic and social inequality.

Steps must be taken to eliminate digital inequality. We have to build a just society. Steps such as making the Internet-accessible, developing technology-related infrastructure, and educating people as technology-literate will play a significant role in preventing digital inequality.

Before the 2008 elections, many did not realize the concept of Digital Bangladesh. Later, the ruling expressed its persuasion to build a Digital Bangladesh through 'Vision 2021' and emphasized greater use of information technology in all fields. The use of information technology, such as helping to alleviate poverty, also contributes to building social justice through ensuring good governance, quality education, healthcare, and protection. The government wants to make IT education compulsory in primary and secondary education by 2021, to establish community e-centers in all unions, to establish e-governance, to bring the broadband internet usage rate to 40 per cent, etc. The Information and Communication Technology Policy calls for ensuring social equality and universal access to information technology as one of the strategies for the development of information technology; To bring the disadvantaged people, women, and persons with disabilities and those in need of special assistance into the mainstream of society through the use of information technology.

There have been many achievements and progress in building a digital Bangladesh. The use of information technology in various services such as data collection, employment, education, medicine, e-commerce, mobile financing, etc. has increased a lot during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, there are some limitations in building a digital Bangladesh. The communities could not avail the benefits of information technology during the Covid-19 pandemic due to some limitations. Mainly the poor and disadvantaged people living in the rural areas, still do not have the necessary digital devices or connections, or who do not have the necessary information and skills to receive the services have been deprived or continue to lag.

At present, 55 per cent of rural households in the country do not have internet access. Besides, 59 per cent of rural households do not have a smartphone and 49 per cent do not have access to a computer. Access to services through the use of information technology such as smartphones, laptops, internet connection is important as well as simplification of services and expertise in information technology is also required. In both cases, there is a shortage of poor and low-income people. An idea about the accessibility of information technology is available but the complete idea is not yet available. Because there are divisions within the family that in most cases do not come to the fore. Just as there are divisions between men and women in the family, there are also age differences.

At present, participation in information and technology is an expression of the capability and empowerment of any community. Information technology is not only a means of communication but also opens up new fields and possibilities. We have seen some of its application in the Covid-19 period, though not in its entirety and overall. Among other barriers to participation in information technology, the high cost of using the Internet is a burden for the poor. Besides, the failure of government and non-government organizations to create various opportunities for the use of information technology in various fields is also a major obstacle.

Inequality in technology exacerbates the current inequality among the people of the country. Thus, in our class-divided society, it is a difficult reality that not everyone has equal access to public and private services. The information and communication technology policy formulated by the government is specifically mentioned in the section 'Social Equality and Universal Access'. Now it is important to implement this policy and take specific initiatives for this. First of all, information technology must be brought to the doorsteps of all communities. For this, the government has to create the necessary infrastructure in information technology, the non-governmental organizations have to be made enterprising. At the same time, it is necessary to take initiatives so that the poor and women, in particular, can use information technology at a low cost.

The benefits of Digital Bangladesh cannot be overstated. All that can be said is that if it had not been started, Bangladesh would not be where it is today. After the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975, no government has worked for digital development till 1996. Every time the Awami League has formed a government, there has been an unprecedented development in this sector. The sector has been developed through tax and duty exemptions and subsidies. The exclusive business of mobile phones has been broken. Internet connection has been provided in every part of the country. Bangabandhu Satellite-1 is being used not only by Bangladesh but also by other countries of the world. Bangladesh is exporting bandwidth to meet the demand of the country. Bangladesh is now connected with two submarine cables.

The formation of Digital Bangladesh will not only help the fourth industrial revolution, it is a tool for building the nation. Through this, the path of future developed Bangladesh is being paved. The development of this country, employment, the standard of living of the people - everything depends on its progress. The potentiality of Digital Bangladesh proved during the Covid-19 pandemic but it should ensure access for all. Bangladesh has achieved capacity in the production of mobiles, laptops, and technology products. Eighty per cent of the domestic demand for mobiles is now generated in the country. In the future, the technology products of Bangladesh will occupy the world market.

Bangladesh is moving forward towards the fourth industrial revolution and emphasis is being laid on fields like artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, nanotechnology, biotechnology, robotics, microprocessor design. The first goal of Digital Bangladesh is to extend its benefits to the remote areas of Bangladesh by building an inclusive and digital society. Everyone has to work together to face the new challenges of the future. All people have to work together to solve problems and innovate, then it will be easier to move forward.

The writer is a Research Fellow, BNNRC