99pc of population now under 4G network coverage: Minister

Approximately 99 per cent of the country's population has now come under 4G network coverage, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam has said. The current government considers the ICT sector as one of the main driving forces of the country's growth and employment, he added.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organised at the BTRC building on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Sunday, May 17.

The government is working to position Bangladesh as a strong force in technology production and export through AI, hardware, semiconductors, cyber security, data centres, startups and digital services, the minister said. The number of mobile phone connections in the country has reached 18.84 crore, while the number of internet subscribers has reached 13.36 crore.

The event was presided over by Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Bilkis Jahan Rimi. Special guests included Prime Minister's Adviser on Post, Telecommunications, IT and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishrak Hossain, and ICT Division Secretary Kazi Anwar Hossain.