Bangladesh has witnessed massive development in the telecom and ICT sector in 2021 despite the coronavirus pandemic.
At the end of 2021, Bangladesh has stepped into 5G (5th Generation Mobile Network) era. Authorities concerned have also fixed the broadband internet rate. At the same time, e-SIM was invented to stop unwanted issues. The government has also taken initiatives to stop illegal handsets.
The state-owned telecom operator Teletalk Bangladesh has launched the 5G service to accelerate the journey of digital transformation and enable all the customers of the country to enjoy the latest benefits of 5G mobile technology.
This is a continuation of the programme announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 12, 2008 to build the Digital Bangladesh. The service was launched on a trial basis on the night of 'Digital Bangladesh Day' on December 12 at the Radisson Hotel in the capital with a programme titled 'New Era with 5G'. It was inaugurated by Information and Technology Adviser to the Prime Minister Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
From Bangladesh Secretariat, Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban area, Prime Minister's Office, Bangabandhu Memorial, Savar National Memorial and Bangabandhu's tomb at Tungipara in Gopalganj 5G service made available.
At the end of the year, Bangladesh entered into the world of electronic SIM with the help of the country's first e-SIM brand ‘Bandhu’. It started the journey on December 16 this year. E-SIM is the new standard that will make it easier to change carriers or add a second SIM to existing phone.
The long awaited ‘One Country One Rate’ tariff has been introduced to provide access of affordable internet access at the marginal level by eliminating geographical disparities.
The National Equipment Identity Register system was introduced experimentally on July 1 to stop the use of illegal and counterfeit mobile handsets in the country. BTRC officially launched this system from October 1. Later the system was modified for the betterment of handset users.
