Digital Bangladesh: Future plans for broadband roll-out in Bangladesh Honourable Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, State Minister, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Bangladesh
Digital Bangladesh: Future Plans for Broadband Rollout Changing Lives Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP State Minister for ICT Government of the People s Republic Bangladesh
About Bangladesh
Beautiful Bangladesh 125 km 6,000 skm in BD 405+ rivers Cox s Bazar World s longest unbroken sea beach Sundarban World s largest mangrove forest Land of Rivers Over 405 rivers across the country Cox s Bazar and Sundarban are among Asia s Seven Natural Wonders Sundarban recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site
A Nation of Patriots Fight for the Bengali Language National Language Movement, 1952 Fight for Freedom Liberation War, 1971
The Emerging Economy Bangladesh among Goldman Sachs Next 11 Emerging Economies Bangladesh among Citigroup 3G (Global Growth Generators) countries 6%+ GDP growth annually since 2010 #2 Garments Exporter in the world 2.63% Contribution of telecom sector to GDP
Macro economic Environment Resilient Economic Growth Despite Difficult Political Backdrop Stable GDP growth Steady rise in GDP per capita Record high foreign reserves Peers include Bolivia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Georgia and Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan Robust growth raises investment Source: Bangladesh Bank and S&P Sovereign Key Indicators Dec 2013 6.1% GDP growth USD1190 GDP Per Capita USD21.3Bn Forex reserve (as of 24 th June) USD1.3Bn FDI (in 2013)
About Telecom & ICT Sector
Telecom & ICT Sector Key Telecom Index 79% Voice Penetration 25% Internet Penetration 1.5m+ Employment 50% of Total FDI 3% Contribution to GDP Source: AMTOB, BTRC
Telecom & ICT Sector Governing Framework Policies Laws National Telecom Policy 98 (Under revision) National ICT Policy Telegraph Act 1885 Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933 National Broadband Policy-2009 ILDTS Policy BTRA 2001 (as amended 2010) ICT Act Policy Maker (s) Regulator(s) MoPT&IT MoF BTRC MoPT Planning Commission Competition Commission (Proposed) Bangladesh Bank NBR
National Broadband Policy-2009 Key Highlights Broadband Redefined : 1 Mbps + Broadband is defined as an experience where the user can access the internet at a minimum speed of 1 Mbps.
National Broadband Policy-2009 Key Highlights Fundamental Policy Objectives Reliable & affordable broadband service Improvement of access network & facilitate interconnection Encourage PPP in Broadband service Promote local/bangla contents & encourage investment in VAS & Broadband
Journey Towards Broadband Continued effort to increase access to broadband & to make it affordable 3G license BWA license Nationwide WiFi ISPs 42 million+ internet subscribers (2m BB subscribers) 96% of the internet subscribers are accessing internet using mobile 3G license issued in 2013 & already deployed in all the district Issued 3 WiMAX licenses with a very nominal spectrum price Published WiFi guidelines to deploy WiFi network throughout the country 400+ Internet Service Provider (ISP) licenses have been issued 37 Internet Gateway licenses have been issued, 27 are already operational
National Broadband Policy-2009 Key Challenges in Policy Implementation Attracting investment in broadband lack of motivation amongst the market players More PPP initiatives understanding gap, lack of collaboration Development of local contents or contents in local language Increasing awareness General & ICT literacy
Way Forward? We are considering adoption of a Broadband Master Plan
Broadband Master Plan Key aspirations in terms of Internet & Broadband penetration 40% Internet penetration 70% Internet Penetration 100% Internet Penetration 2015 2018 2021 10% BB penetration 35% BB penetration 50% BB penetration
Broadband Master Plan Strategic Action Items Streamline Licensing Regime Embrace Technology neutrally - existing allocated band to offer 3G/4G/LTE Allocate 700 MHz band Spectrum for 4G/LTE Nationwide Fiber connectivity & Fiber to Home through PPP model Deploy Mobile BB in deprived areas using SOF address availability & affordability issues Provide Tax incentives to encourage faster rollout of Broadband Service Encourage Active Infrastructure sharing Policy Harmonization BB, Telco, ICT, Health, Education, Taxation
Thank You