Smartphones to be available at $50-60 under new govt initiative

The government has taken an initiative to provide affordable, data-dependent smartphones to people across the country, said Prime Minister's Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad.

He made the remarks as a special guest at an event titled "Powering the Future: Robi Completes Dhaka Modernisation" in Tejgaon, Dhaka, on Wednesday (August 19).

Adviser Rehan Asif Asad said plans are in place to keep the price of these locally manufactured smartphones between $50 and $60.

Regarding the initiative to reduce smartphone prices, the adviser said the government had held discussions with local mobile phone manufacturers, mobile phone-related businesses and various organisations before the budget. Taxes, VAT and duties on mobile phone manufacturing raw materials, which earlier ranged from 26 to 33 percent, have been significantly reduced. In some cases, they have been reduced to zero, and in others, kept between 2 and 5 percent.

He said the main objective of this initiative is to deliver good devices to people at low prices. After discussions with local mobile phone manufacturers, they have indicated that it may be possible to produce Android-based data smartphones for around $50 to $60. They have also shown interest in starting the process of manufacturing such phones soon.

Rehan Asif said initiatives are being taken to bring smartphones under the central bank's EMI programme and to encourage private banks to offer instalment facilities.

The adviser said nearly 50 percent of mobile phone users in the country still use feature phones. That is, out of approximately 14 crore mobile subscribers, about 7 crore people are still using feature phones. It is urgent to change this situation, he added.