This week, Bangladesh made a significant leap towards a mobile, digital future. Nationwide 3G will extend the power and the opportunities of the Internet to millions of Bangladeshis. Just like mobile connectivity is for everyone, Internet is for all.
Imagine a Bangladesh where a teenager in Natore can surf Wikipedia or stream CNN to get updated information for a school assignment. A Bangladesh, where youth in rural villages can download the latest Harry Potter novel as soon as it’s published online, or make Facebook friends in Serbia, Ghana or Mexico.
Imagine a Bangladesh where a chronically ill patient in Baliadangi can avail instant advice from specialists in Dhaka. Or where a farmer in Jessore can get agricultural advice at his service every day, and have instant access to profits, savings and insurance through a trusted banking system. Some of these are already reality, some will soon be realised. All of them and much more will be possible in a digital Bangladesh.
For the past 16 years, Grameenphone and Telenor Group have been working to deliver mobile connectivity to mass market consumers across Bangladesh. With a mission to help make Bangladesh moves ahead, our success to date has been built on a simple realisation: mobile communication is not a luxury good for the few. It’s for everyone.
Today, about 110m people in Bangladesh have a mobile connection. Dhaka is one of the fastest growing cities in the world on Facebook and internet traffic is growing by the day. Grameenphone’s number of data subscribers is up 60% over the past year, and data traffic is increasing steadily. Bangladeshis are ready for mobile broadband connectivity.
This week’s 3G auction marks an important mile-stone in the mobile era, and is a leap towards the country’s ambitious plans for a “Digital Bangladesh.” With several competitors winning rights to offer mobile broadband (3G), customers can expect healthy competition and increasingly affordable rates for higher quality services. This means more connectivity for more people.
Bangladesh today has a robust mobile infrastructure. Leading operators like Grameenphone have invested significantly in building a modern telecoms network, and we are now ready to quickly roll out high-speed data services.
Beyond the obvious benefits for individuals and rural communities, instant connectivity will enable small and medium enterprises to more easily communicate with a global audience and serve customers worldwide. And imagine the dynamism and production that come out of a better connected, stronger and more innovative ICT community.
Mobile connectivity has a positive impact on people, business and societies. Studies conducted by Boston Consulting Group show a direct correlation between mobile penetration and GDP growth a 10% increase in mobile penetration bring on average 1.2% increase in GDP. Internet connectivity brings with it a multiplier effect, and is expected to have an impact of 3-6% on GDP.
As we are extending the opportunities of mobile Internet to everyone, we as mobile operators also have a responsibility to keep consumers safe online. In Telenor Group’s markets alone, 100m children will go online over the next four years.
While the benefits of the Internet far outweigh the risks, building a healthy awareness and understanding of the Internet both among children and their parents is a responsibility we all share.
Telenor Group has been a proud contributor to the Bangladeshi telecoms revolution for almost two decades. As one of the world’s major mobile operators, we bring global partnerships and international resources and experience to Grameenphone. Our relationships with the Internet’s major content providers and search engines will help bring the full benefits of mobile internet to everyone in Bangladesh.
Together, Grameenphone and Telenor Group will continue building a digital future for all in Bangladesh. Congratulations on taking this first step. There is so much more to come.
