ZCZC
BSS-40
JABBAR-5G-INTERNET
Jabbar asks MNOs to get ready for 5G in 2021
DHAKA, March 12, 2019 (BSS) – Posts, Telecommunications
and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar today
asked all the mobile network operators (MNOs) to get ready to
introduce 5G mobile services in 2021.
“Those Who yet to start preparing themselves for 5G
service, they [MNOs] should know that the government is
determined to introduce 5G in 2021 as per the election
manifesto,” he added.
The minister was addressing a seminar titled “Transmission
Network for Digital Bangladesh: Present and Future” as the
chief guest organized by the Telecom Reporters’ Network,
Bangladesh (TRNB) in a city hotel.
Apprehending no country could move ahead without adopting
modern technology, Jabbar put emphasis on embracing new
technologies to pull the country ahead in line with the
digital Bangladesh campaign launched by the Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina.
The minister also advised the MNOs and other operators in
country’s telecommunication sector to take on new business
plan in line with the new technologies.
“5G would not bring massive changes for individual users,
rather it would render substantial transformation in
industrial segments,” said Jabbar, adding, “I believe our
MNOs could switch to 5G technology comfortably based on their
4G infrastructures.”
The minister also directed the operators concern to offer
internet service across the country at same price. He asked
the nationwide telecommunication transmission company (NTTN)
and internet service providers to abstain from blaming game
and solve problems through discussion.
Referring to the election manifesto of present Awami League
government, he said same internet speed and facilities of
city have to be ensured in village but “additional cost would
not be accepted”.
“We have to ensure ‘One country, one rate’ for internet and
if require government would give subsidy, but [you] have to
find out the right place for subsidy,” added Jabbar.
According to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory
Commission (BTRC), NTTN Company, fiber@home has total
42,441km optical fiber while another NTTN company, Summit
owns 42,145km fiber, Railway 2,500km fiber, PGCB 5,773km
fiber and the BTCL also has optical fiber.
Apart from the NTTN companies, MNO Banglalink laid 3,000km
fiber while Grameephone 2,745km and Robi 1,033 km fiber optic
cable across the country.
BTRC Chairman Jahurul Haque said there is no doubt that
Bangladesh has moved ahead tremendously in last ten years and
all have contributed to the progress. “We want you
(operators) do good business, but offering good services to
the customers first.”
Echoing the minister, BTRC Chairman also asked all the
operators to solve problems through discussion leaving “blame
game”.
fiber@home managing director Moinul Huq Siddiquee, Summit
communication chief executive officer Arif Al Islam,
Grameenphone deputy CEO Yasir Azman, Robi vice president
Anamika Bhakta, ISPAB president M A Hakim and former AMTOB
secretary T I M Nurul Kabir, among others, also spoke on the
occasion.
TRNB President Muhammad Zahidul Islam chaired the meeting
while Secretary Samir Kumar Dey made keynote presentation.
BSS/ASG/MAK/BZC/2000HRS