The government has undertaken a project for setting up modern and high-speed telecommunication network in the Economic Zones (EZs) to accelerate the country’s economic growth.
An official of the Planning Commission said the Planning Commission has completed processing of the project titled “Establishment of Telecommunication Network in Economic Zones (Phase I)” sent by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology.
The project will be placed at the next meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), he said.
The cost for the project has been estimated at Tk 95.12 crore, the official said.
If approved, the implementation process will begin in this year and end in December, 2022 under the guidance of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology.
Planning Commission member of the Physical Infrastructure Division and in charge of the project Mamun-Al-Rashid said, “If the project is implemented, it will accelerate the country's economic development. It will be possible to set up a high- speed telecommunication network.”
The main objective of the project is to set up modern and high-speed telecommunication network in Srihatta in Moulvibazar, Sabrang, Naf in Teknaf, and Sonadia Tourism Park in Maheshkhali and Jamalpur Economic Zone to accelerate the economic development of the country, he added.
According to sources, the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) is implementing the establishment of Srihatta in Moulvibazar, Sabrang and Naf Tourism in Teknaf and Jamalpur Economic Zones to help attract foreign investment.
The availability of fast telecommunication network for planned industrialisation, eco-friendly business expansion is a priority in the investment review.
Another government-funded project to set up telecommunication network and internet network in economic zones is underway.
BTCL is working to establish the necessary network to provide telecommunication and ICT services in the economic zones that are accelerating the country's economic growth.
In the first phase, DPP (Development Project Proposal) was to set up telecommunication network to provide modern telephone and high-speed internet services in five economic zones to meet the growing demand.
The main activities of the project are: Installation of high-capacity Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), Optical fiber transmission links, Installation of 6,000 connection capacity telecom exchanges with modern facilities in economic zones, installation of high-speed internet backups, routers, switches and equipment.
One telecom building in each economic zone will be constructed, an official said.
