The government is planning to expand internet coverage in the country by bringing 772 union parishads under its network.
The plan came to light after Posts, Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar and former Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman Shahjahan Mahmood visited Sandwip Island in Chittagong recently.
The minister said, “We found that these 772 union parishads are not connected with internet and out of these Ups 226 are in very remote places.”
He said with the help of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 internet connectivity can be reached across the country including several enclaves and in remote areas.
The visit aimed to inspect on how internet facility can be made available to the residents of the island.
Speaking to Bangla Tribune Minister Jabbar said, “My first goal to bring internet door to door requires infrastructural facilities.”
“But we have found 772 UPs out of internet connectivity including that of 226 UPs located in remote areas and several enclaves.”
On how to build the connectivity, Jabbar said, “We will build (optical fibre cable) connection to union-level and ask the internet service providers (ISPs) to take the services door to door.”
Schools, colleges and local markets will be brought under internet facility where connecting to home will not possible”.
Detailing on the alternative to optical fibre connection, the minister said, “Bangabandhu Satellite-1 will help several islands, enclaves and hill area connect with internet.”
However, the government is yet to finalise on the fund for building the required infrastructure.
The BTRC has Tk 12 billion in its Social Obligation Fund (SoF), which remains deposited in the bank. The next SOF meeting will finalise on how to spend the fund in this regard, Jabbar said.
Echoing Jabbar, State Minister for ICT Zunaed Ahmed Palak said, “Our satellite will be the main source of all kinds of communication.”
Bangabandhu Satellite-1 makes easier our plan to bring internet connectivity to remote and hilly areas as well as islands.”
“People Students will learn programming and they will earn from outsourcing. No one will be left behind from mainstream (technology),” Palak said.