World Telecommunication and Information Society Day tomorrow

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DHAKA, May 16, 2019 (BSS) – With the theme “Bridging the Standardization
Gap”, the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) will be
observed tomorrow in Bangladesh 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.

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 programme 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.