The government is undertaking a project worth BDT 2,026 crores for internet connectivity in remote areas

The Government of Bangladesh is implementing a BDT 2,026 crore project to bring digital connectivity to the Haor, Island and remote hilly areas of the country which are deprived of telecommunication facilities.

The project is financed by the Social Responsibility Fund (SRF) of BTRK under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of the Government. The Bangladesh Computer Board, under the leadership of the ICT Department, is establishing broadband connectivity in areas deprived of telecommunication facilities at BDT 504.43 Crores. The network is being built in the islands through Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited’s Bangabandhu Satellite-1 at BDT 44.44 Crores. Telecom operator Teletalk is building broadband networks in Haor areas and islands at a cost of BDT 380 crores.

Expansion of second level projects in Haor-Baor areas will be done by Teletalk and expansion of broadband WiFi networks in Haor-Baor and remote areas will be done by BTCL with BDT 450 Crores.

Separately, Bangladesh Satellite Company is implementing a BDT 44.24 crore project to connect various remote villages and inaccessible and coastal areas of Bangladesh through Bangabandhu Satellite-1. It is also undertaking a BDT 83.25 crore project to digitize education in primary schools in remote rural areas. In addition, another development project is being implemented with BDT 520 Crore to expand Teletalk’s mobile broadband network services in the coastal hills and other remote areas.

The overall progress of the projects was discussed in detail at the 16th Social Responsibility Fund (SOF) Board meeting. The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Mustafa Jabbar chaired the meeting. The meeting was held recently at the Department of Posts and Telecommunications under the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The meeting was attended by ICT Department Senior Secretary NM Zeaul Alam, Posts and Telecommunications Department Secretary Md. Khalilur Rahman, BTRC Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder, the Project Directors of the respective projects and other dignitaries. The meeting was chaired by the Director General of the BTRK, Brigadier General Nasim Parvez. The project directors of various projects briefed the dignitaries about the progress of their respective projects.

The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications expressed his gratitude to the concerned authorities for their tireless efforts to implement the directives of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to maintain the functioning of Internet and telecommunication services in the flood-affected areas. He emphasized the need for advance preparations to maintain the functioning of the Internet and telecommunications services in the event of natural disasters in the future.

He directed the project directors to work more diligently and sincerely to ensure proper utilization of digital technology services for the disadvantaged people in the country including those living in remote areas.