The government is expanding internet networking services to all remote areas of the country by already completing connectivity by almost 50 percent.
As of January 2022, according to the internal data of the project, the work of Pop Room Renovation is about 51.28 percent and the work of laying Optical Fiber Cable is about 40.22 percent. Under the plan, a project is already underway since 2018 which will ensure accessing internet services in 617 remote unions as part of making a Digital Bangladesh.
Under the guidance and supervision of the state minister for ICT Division, Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) has been implementing different initiatives to make the country a pioneer in information and communication technology and build a Digital Bangladesh.
The BCC has founded a project called, “Connect Bangladesh” to provide internet access to remote areas of Bangladesh.
The project started in October 2018 and will run till December 2023 where the estimated cost of the project is Tk 50443.31 lakhs. Through this project, BCC will
ensure internet facilities in 617 remote unions of Bangladesh.
Under the project, a network will be established in the telecommunication-deprived areas.
At the same time, the project will play an important role in enhancing the interoperability, efficiency, transparency, effectiveness and quality of services (SOS) of the Bangladesh government through the expansion of the backbone network across the country.
The impact of technology and science on almost every aspect of our modern life is extremely evident today. Internet is now being used extensively for multifaceted purposes.
Not only that, the internet has brought an extreme change in human life, in addition, the Internet is one of the pioneering means of communication of all kinds around the world.
Bangladesh government has already taken different steps to reach every part of the country with an internet connection. In light of this, BCC's Connect Bangladesh project is working to establish network connectivity in remote areas deprived of telecommunication facilities.
Dr Md Abdul Mannan, BCC Executive Director and Additional Secretary to the Bangladesh Government, said that the citizen in the region will be able to fully enjoy the benefits of the project soon.
One of the objectives of this project is to provide network connectivity to all schools, colleges, madrasas, growth centers, telecom operators and so on in remote areas.
Apart from promoting e-commerce, e-services, telemedicine through high-speed internet usage, one of the goals of the project is to increase employment in the IT sector and create new entrepreneurs.
Jagadish Chandra Sarker, the Project Director (Deputy Secretary) of the "Connect Bangladesh" project said that this project will eliminate the digital division inequality in the riverine, remote, hilly and remote 617 unions of the country.
The Connect Bangladesh project is being implemented with the funding of the “Social Obligation Fund (SOF)” managed by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) under the Post and Telecommunications Division to expand telecommunication facilities.
Under this project, 8106 km of optical fiber cable is being installed at the union level, backbone router and DC power system are being installed in the union and pop room renovation work is underway.
Bangladesh Cable Shilpa Ltd, Khulna a state-owned company, has procured 8106 km of optical fiber cable and 5,000 km of duct pipes.
A strong team consisting of about 62 skilled manpower is working on the implementation of this project.
The project director said that in the meantime, in collaboration with Bangladesh Army, work has been undertaken to install optical fiber cables in 59 unions in the three remote areas of Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Rangamati.
He added that soon 13 unions of Sandwip will be brought under broadband connectivity by optical fiber through remote areas as well as under the sea.
