Bangladesh to become 5G forerunner: Joy

FT ONLINE

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adviser to the Prime Minister Sajeeb Wazed Joy yesterday said Bangladesh has one of the cheapest internets in the world.

Joy, also the son of the Prime Minister, said this while inaugurating 5G technologies demonstrated by Huawei and Robi at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital.

The Post & Telecommunications Division under the posts, telecommunications and information technology ministry, in cooperation with Huawei and Robi, yesterday demonstrated 5G technology for the first time in Bangladesh.

The event was organised at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel to show how a 5G ecosystem could be nurtured in Bangladesh and how it could be used to help the economic transformation of the country.

Mustafa Jabbar, minister for post, telecommunications and information technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, state minister for information and communication technology, Shyam Sunder Sikder, secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, managing director and CEO of Robi Axiata Limited, James Wu, president of Huawei's Southeast Asia region, and Zhang Zhengjun, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Limited, were also present.

Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed said: “As a techie, I always want to explore a new technology. We've recently launched the 4G service, but there is already a buzz about 5G. The dream of launching the 5G service in Bangladesh has become a reality."

“We're the country to deploy 1G to 4G services in the fastest possible time. Only some years back, Bangladesh was the world's most backward country in terms of technological advancement. But now, we've achieved tremendous progress on that front! I have put pressure on the regulators to reduce the cost of Internet by 99 per cent within five years. We offer one of the cheapest internet services in the world. No other country has been able to deploy the next generation Internet so fast,” he also said.

“We're going to be one of the pioneering countries to deploy the 5G service. I promise that if you vote for Awami League once again, we'll introduce 5G in Bangladesh,” he added.

Wajed thanked Huawei for demonstrating the 5G technology in the country.

James Wu said: “I have been impressed by the rapid progress of ICT infrastructure in Bangladesh. We've witnessed continuous implementation of many relevant policies to promote ICT development, such as ICT investment, start-up community, high-tech parks, ICT training for students, and so on."

“Starting from 1998, Huawei has been honoured to collaborate with telecom carriers, local partners and the ICT Division of Bangladesh. Our leading technology innovation renders high-quality products and solutions to help the nation achieve digital transformation. We believe that more and more people in Bangladesh will enjoy a better digital life with the advent of 5G,” he added.

Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said: “Complete manifestation of Digital Bangladesh is not possible without the latest technologies like 5G. It gives us once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rethink our education, healthcare, housing, transport, shipping and all the other sectors for the country's socio-economic development."

“While we must aspire for 5G, we can’t ignore the dire profitability scenario that faces the telecom industry. Since only one mobile operator in the country is making profits, it would certainly be difficult for the industry to convince its shareholders to invest heavily in 5G. However, if the MNOs, technology vendors, regulators and the government come together, I'm sure we can find an amicable way towards the implementation of 5G in Bangladesh,” he added.

He also said the successful 5G demonstration created the perfect backdrop to begin a dialogue in this regard.

Deployment of this advanced network will take place between 2020 and 2030. The 5G radio access will be built upon both new radio access technologies (RAT) and evolved existing wireless technologies (LTE, HSPA, GSM and WiFi). The 5G technology will realise networks capable of providing zero-distance connectivity between people and connected machines. It will enhance all

aspects of people’s lives that are already influenced by the use of digital technology.