Bangladesh entered the fifth-generation mobile technology (5G) era as the ninth country in the world.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina virtually spoke on the occasion. She said, "We are launching 5G with Teletalk in limited areas. But we are working to spread the service across the country.
"4G network is now available in the country. With the help of high-speed network, people are now able to take digital services from anywhere in the country. It is also creating employment opportunities. From city to village, the number freelancers are growing in good numbers. All these are helping to build a socio-economic country," she added.
The Prime Minister thanked everyone involved in launching 5G in the country.
With the theme 'New Era With 5G' prime minister ICT advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy as chief guest virtually launched the 5G service at a programme held at Radisson hotel in the capital on Sunday.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy said, "Due to Covid-19, I am unable to be there but I'm digitally connected with the event. This is a sign of our Digital Bangladesh. We want to take our country forward. With many developed countries we are launching 5G. We are continuously working to make our country as the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."
"Mobile network, fiber optics, submarine cables and others are being developed to stay connected with the world. As long Awami League government is in power we will never let our country go backward in digitalisation," he added.
"During the regime of other party there was only one mobile operator which was not available for all. But Awami League government made it available for everyone in the country. Now 3G and 4G network services are available. I'll urge all the mobile operators to work sincerely to reach the latest mobile service in every corner of the country," the advisor further said.
Post and Telecommunications minister Mustafa Jabbar as special guest said, "Today is a very special day for Bangladesh. It’s a milestone for our country in 50 years of Independence. Digital Bangladesh will be helpful for the people in the coming days. Dimensions of 5G are immense. It has wide use in every steps of our daily life."
Post and Telecommunications ministry Secretary Md Khalilur Rahman said, "This is the beginning of a new era. We are hopeful that we will be able to spread the 5G network across the country soon."
Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Shaym Sundor Sikder said, "Today with our state-owned mobile operator Teletalk we are launching 5G network in our country. We've taken all sorts of preparation to go for spectrum auction on March next. At that time private mobile operators will be able to launch 5G."
Teletalk in association of Huawei and Nokia launched the 5G service at a programme held at Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital. The service was put to test at six different locations in the country. Those locations are Prime Minister's Office in Dhaka, Dhanmondi road 32, Bangladesh Secretariat, Manik Mia Avenue, and outside Dhaka in Savar and Tungipara.
Read more: 5G test service at 6 points today
The spectrum department of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has allotted 60 megahertz (MHz) spectrum to Teletalk, on a refundable condition to launch 5G service as per the directive of the government.
Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar on the occasion said, “This auspicious moment of 5G inauguration will be unforgettable in the history of the development of digital technology. Bangladesh is entering the 5G era as a continuation of the visionary program announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 12, 2008, to build a digital Bangladesh.”
The 5G mobile network is one of the essential technologies to meet the challenges of artificial intelligence, IoT, robotics, big data, blockchain, automation and other technologies in the transformation of new civilizations in the world following the digital revolution.
Teletalk will launch this technology service in 200 important areas of Dhaka city. The technology will be launched by three private mobile operators in March next year following the spectrum auction. Preparations are underway to launch this service in important industrial zones of the country, especially in special economic zones, through Teletalk and BTCL after 2022.