The Information and Communication Technology Division is going to introduce short codes to facilitate public services soon.
“The government has planned to introduce short codes for reaching all public and emergency services to the grips of people with the blessings of cellphone technology,” State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
Initially, a pilot project for services to health and security issues, repressed women and drug addicts through short codes will be undertaken.
The Finance Ministry has already approved the project which will be funded by the government exchequer.
Uttam Kumar Paul, secretary general of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information services, said generally, telephone numbers range between seven and ten digits while cellphone numbers are 11 digits which are difficult for people to keep all those digits in mind.
“Short codes will undeniably help people remember emergency numbers and avail services in need,” added Paul.
In most cases, codes are three-four digits in length designed to be easier to read and remember other than usual telephone numbers.
The government mulls considering 1971 or 2021 to be short codes, said a source in the ICT Division.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak said the primary cost of the pilot project is not too high for the government to bear.
Later, a large-scale project will be implemented under Public Private Partnership.
The junior minister said cloud source apps and social media will find place in short codes. Online resources and 600 government apps will also be engaged in the system.
Gradually, fire and ambulance services would be added to the short code system.
Citing an example, Palak said if anyone connects to Telemedicine services for any emergency need like getting an ambulance, they will automatically be connected to ambulance services.
Even, doctors’ appointment would be available on this helpline, he hinted.
According to ICT Division officials, they have to develop a huge content for offering effective services.
The state minister hinted that as public services are not available on demand, the ICT Division plans to outsource the services in the best interest of general public.
A short-list is being prepared for which services to get priority.
As different ministries have already introduced different services, ICT will take an initiative to train service providers well enough.
The physically challenged individuals would also get priority to receive services through short codes.
Last year, the government gave jobs to a total of 32 physically retarded people through arranging a job fair.
Short codes – also known as short numbers – are special telephone numbers, significantly shorter than full telephone numbers. There are two types of short codes – dialling and messaging. The equivalent for voice calls is known as abbreviated dialing.