About 69 per cent of Bangladeshis believe mobile devices and technology positively impact their career and skills development, Telenor Asia’s Digital Lives Decoded survey has revealed.
In Bangladesh, 57 per cent of the respondents reported a 20 per cent or more increase in productivity due to mobile devices and technology while for 26 per cent, it was over 50 per cent.
While describing the positive impacts of mobile devices and technology on career and skills development, 69 per cent reported to have found significant improvement.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Telenor Asia conducted the study among 8,000 mobile internet users in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam last year, said a press release.
Five key trends functioning as pivots for digital adaptation were underlined through the initial revelation. Subsequently, Telenor Asia unveiled the second part of their study, which outlines transforming work modalities backed by mobile connectivity.
In terms of gender-based inputs, 73 per cent of female and 67 per cent of male respondents in Bangladesh agreed to have gained significant improvement in their career and skills development.
Besides, 57 per cent believe new income streams can be afforded by mobile devices, with 54 per cent admitting its ability to help them access new jobs and career opportunities.
Yasir Azman, chief executive officer of Grameenphone, said the coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated digital adaptation, significantly reducing the digital divide and empowering communities across the nation, including in far-flung areas.
He said the majority of people have witnessed the enabling role of mobile devices and technology in Bangladesh, as reflected in the report.
“Now we take it upon ourselves to enable even the last-mile citizens with digital skills to unlock opportunities, ensuring that we leave no one behind to build a sustainable economy.”
According to the study, 54 per cent of Bangladeshis believe they will use their mobile devices significantly more in the next six to 12 months for work purposes.
For 61 per cent of respondents, privacy and security are the most significant barriers to fully utilising mobile technology and/or its features to its fullest potential at work. Besides, lack of trust in technology and lack of skills and knowledge were mentioned by 49 per cent and 60 per cent respectively.
“Our research points to mobile connectivity as an enabler of productivity, progress, flexibility, and economic opportunity.
Yet, we continue to see gaps in how this technology is used between urban and rural populations, large companies and SMEs, between industries, and even between C-suite executives and their junior counterparts,” said Jørgen Rostrup, head of Telenor Asia.
