With the theme “Bridging the Standardization Gap”, the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is being observed on Friday (May 17) across the country along with other countries in the globe.
In observance of the Day in a befitting manner, the Posts and Telecommunications Division and its affiliate organizations have chalked out elaborate programmes, reports state news agency BSS.
The WTISD is celebrated annually since 1969, marking the founding of ITU on May 17 in 1865 when the first International Telegraph Convention was signed in Paris.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day.
President Hamid said the present government declared Vision-2021 to reach the benefits of information technology and telecommunication to the people in all areas of the country.
The government has taken extensive programmes to transform the country into a digital one by 2021, he said, adding that ensuring utmost use of existing telecommunication system and information technology is a must to turn Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041.
Hamid urged the telecom engineers for coming forward to ensure globally standard telecommunication and information technology services for the people of the country.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said in the last 10 years, the Awami League (AL) government has implemented extensive programmes for infrastructure development of telecommunication and information technology and ensuring utmost use of technology to reach the benefits of ICT to every corner of the society.
She said increasing internet density and capacity of submarine cable, installation of new submarine cables and all other services of the telecommunication sector have been made modern and time-befitting.
An ICT-friendly policy has already been formulated, she said, adding that the country’s 99 percent area is now under mobile network.
“The 5G technology for mobile phone will be launched soon in the country. We already have started using the country’s own satellite ‘Bangabandhu Satellite-1′”, she said.
She said the government has brought all upazilas under optical fiber connectivity, set up “district information centre” in each district and “union information and service centre” in each union of the country.
“It has been possible to reach the government services to doorstep of the people due to our various programmes. Digital Bangladesh is now not a dream, but a reality,” she added.
Both the President and the Prime Minister wished success of the day’s programmes.