Three priorities for Digital Bangladesh in next five years: Rehan A Asad

The government will work with the highest priority on three key areas over the next five years, said Prime Minister's Adviser Rehan A Asad. The government's main goals are ensuring universal connectivity, implementing 'One Citizen, One Digital Identity', and building a digital wallet and artificial intelligence (AI)-dependent Bangladesh, he said.

He made these remarks as a special guest at the inaugural ceremony of the three-day 'Broadband Expo 2026' at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital on Monday, April 13. He expressed hope that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) would take necessary steps to implement active sharing in the telecommunications sector and that the promises made in the election manifesto would be implemented in phases.

Speaking as chief guest, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said there is a lack of necessary incentive-based tax structures to increase investment in the digital sector. He called upon the government and BTRC to quickly resolve existing problems in the ISP sector.

The BTRC chairman said in his speech that the name Fixed Telecom Service Provider (FTSP) would be changed back to Internet Service Provider (ISP). Additionally, the rules for using the Social Obligation Fund (SOF) would be reviewed, and positive steps would be taken soon regarding active sharing.

Additional Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, Zahirul Islam, said necessary initiatives would be taken through discussions with concerned parties to resolve issues related to ISP licence renewal and active sharing.

ISPAB President Mohammad Aminul Hakim said while approximately Tk 20,000 crore has been invested in the ISP sector in the country, only 30 per cent of the network is being utilised. The introduction of active sharing would significantly increase the use of unused infrastructure. He further said the current broadband internet usage rate in the country is around 15 per cent, which could be increased to 50 per cent in the next five years with government cooperation and policy support.

In his opening speech, ISPAB Secretary General Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan highlighted various problems in the sector, including licence renewal, and demanded necessary steps from the government.

The first-ever 'Broadband Expo 2026' has the theme 'Linking People, Linking Future'. Various organisations from the broadband and information technology sectors are showcasing their services, software, hardware and network-based products at the three-day event. The expo features 10 pavilions, 35 mini-pavilions and 20 stalls.

A special attraction is the 'Experience Zone', where approximately 25 robotics and IoT-based projects innovated by students from various universities are on display. Visitors have the opportunity to see these innovations directly.

Organisers expect that this expo will open new horizons for internet infrastructure development, technological innovation and expansion of digital services in the country. The closing ceremony of the expo will be held on April 15. The expo is open to all daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.