[🇧🇩] ICT Industry in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Bangladesh needs to boost cybersecurity skills

Bangladesh and many other countries are prone to eroding their progress in cybersecurity systems if they do not provide support for enhancing cybersecurity skills and awareness-raising initiatives...

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh needs to boost cybersecurity skills
Taufiq Hossain Mobin 22 November, 2024, 22:12

Bangladesh and many other countries are prone to eroding their progress in cybersecurity systems if they do not provide support for enhancing cybersecurity skills and awareness-raising initiatives, according to International Telecommunication Union report.

The report titled ‘Global Cybersecurity Index 2024’ published by the ITU, a specialised agency of the United Nations, said that cybersecurity had increasingly become a pressing financial priority for the whole world as global average cost of a data breach now exceeds $4.45 million.

Experts said that emerging economies like Bangladesh faced dual challenge of securing critical sectors and building cyber-resilient infrastructures, as inadequate cybersecurity measures could jeopardise burgeoning ICT exports and digital transformation goals.

According to the report, Bangladesh held Tier 1 rank amongst the countries in the Asia and the Pacific region, while the neighbouring countries Bhutan and Nepal remained in Tier 3. India also achieved a Tier 1 position, highlighting its significant strides in cybersecurity.

A Dhaka University professor highlighted the country’s impressive cybersecurity ranking but noted that this success belied significant challenges on the ground.

According to BM Mainul Hasan, director of Institute of Information Technology at the University of Dhaka, the nation has historically not prioritised cybersecurity measures, leaving gaps that are becoming increasingly apparent.

‘Those of us working directly with cybersecurity issues are witnessing that the overall situation is not good at all,’ Hasan said, highlighting the disconnect between rankings and real-world preparedness.

He pointed out that Bangladesh had only recently begun digitising many government and private services, which necessitated early stages of developing robust cybersecurity systems.

‘We have just started to transform many government and private services digitally. So, the process to build cybersecurity systems has just started,’ he added.

Hasan stressed the urgency of addressing these deficiencies, saying, ‘Neither do we have enough manpower, nor do institutions in our country give sufficient importance to protecting cyberspaces. It is high time our country built cybersecurity systems that align with international standards. Otherwise, we could face unrecoverable financial losses in the future.’

The ITU in its report said that continued investment was imperative to maintain momentum and close gaps in organisational strategies and international cooperation.

The report said that capacity development was key to building a robust cybersecurity ecosystem.

‘While the cybersecurity workforce grew 8.7 per cent from 2022 to 2023, the gap between the workers needed and the numbers available has also grown by 12.6 per cent,’ it said.

The report further added that to ensure that a domestic cybersecurity industry could flourish, countries needed to ensure that the variety of educational opportunities available at different ages sufficiently prepared students and professionals for their careers.

The fifth edition of the Global Cybersecurity Index or GCI explored the current level of cybersecurity commitment among 193 member states and the state of Palestine.​

 

[Saif]

It’s time to forget Silicon Valley formula and build our own

The world has long been captivated by Silicon Valley: the land of endless innovation, where founders start in garages and build tech giants. It is a formula that many have tried to emulate, but it’s time for Dhaka to write its own recipe—one that works for our unique context, strengths, and...

www.thedailystar.net

It’s time to forget Silicon Valley formula and build our own

The world has long been captivated by Silicon Valley: the land of endless innovation, where founders start in garages and build tech giants. It is a formula that many have tried to emulate, but it's time for Dhaka to write its own recipe—one that works for our unique context, strengths, and challenges.

The allure of Silicon Valley is undeniable. But when we try to replicate this formula in Bangladesh, we quickly learn that Dhaka isn't Palo Alto, and it doesn't have to be. Dhaka has its own rhythm, strengths, and potential. We are a city bursting with energy, full of entrepreneurs who innovate out of necessity. We do not need another Silicon Valley: we need a Dhaka Valley.

To create the Dhaka Valley Recipe, we must embrace our context. In Bangladesh, startup founders don't have access to abundant venture capital or deep talent pools. Instead, we scale through resourcefulness, frugality, and community. When funding is sparse, we need to become profitable faster. When talent is scarce, we need to invest in people and focus on turning potential into excellence. Our founders often wear multiple hats—from sales to HR to operations and product management—roles that would be divided among many in Silicon Valley. This necessity breeds a kind of leadership that is nimble, empathetic, and deeply connected to the realities on the ground, making our founders agile and uniquely effective leaders.

A key ingredient of the Dhaka Valley Recipe is managing growth and ensuring sustainability. We cannot afford to fail before attracting large foreign investors. This means carefully managing growth and creating a solid foundation that draws global interest. Bangladesh often falls at the bottom of investors' priority lists (even within emerging markets), so our funding funnel must adapt accordingly.

The power of collaboration is also critical. In Silicon Valley, competition is often the driving force. Here, the power lies in collaboration—not just among founders but with customers, government bodies, and educational institutions. Our success stories are rooted in ecosystems where everyone benefits.

We must also embrace our people-centric approach. Silicon Valley focuses heavily on technology, often with a "move fast and break things" mindset. In Dhaka, we must focus on people—on the communities we serve, on the employees we nurture, and on the families we impact. The work we do must create real value for people's lives. Empowerment is not just a buzzword; it is the foundation of our businesses—one that can lift millions from informal, unrecognised work into structured and sustainable livelihoods.

Our growth in Bangladesh must be sustainable and inclusive. We cannot build for a handful while leaving millions behind. Instead, our growth must bring real economic change to those who need it most.

Finally, we need to understand the dynamics of attracting venture capital. Venture capitalists need a return, and they are willing to make bold decisions if your business shows extraordinary potential to become a billion-dollar enterprise. We need to give them confidence that they can expect 10-20X returns—so that even in the worst-case scenario, they see a 2-3X return.

The Dhaka Valley Recipe isn't about abandoning Silicon Valley's inspiration; it's about adapting it. Our challenges are different, and so are our strengths. We need solutions that work in our soil, crafted with our own ingredients. We need policymakers who foster innovation, investors who value impact, and founders who believe in this country's potential. If we can do that, we won't just create startups; we will create stories, change lives, and build an ecosystem future generations will be proud of. It's time for Dhaka to stop chasing the Silicon Valley dream and start living on its own.

The writer is the founder and CEO of Sheba Platform Limited​

 

[Saif]

Internet services will be disrupted for 3 hours on December 2

Internet service will temporarily be disrupted for 3 hours on December 2 due to maintenance of SEA-ME-WE4, the country's first submarine cable system in Cox's Bazar.

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Internet services will be disrupted for 3 hours on December 2

Image: Thomas Jensen / Unsplash.

Internet service will temporarily be disrupted for 3 hours on the night of December 2 due to maintenance of SEA-ME-WE4, the country's first submarine cable system in Cox's Bazar.

According to a recent press release by Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCPLC), from next Monday (December 2) 3.00 am to 5.59 am, a total of 2 hours and 59 minutes maintenance will be conducted near the Chennai Landing Station at Chennai end and the Tuas Landing Station at Singapore end for the country's first submarine cable system, SEA-ME-WE4, installed at Cox's Bazar.

Maintenance activities have been undertaken by the consortium to address cable faults near the landing station. During this time, internet services will be temporarily disrupted through circuits connected through Cox's Bazar to Chennai route and the circuits of the SEA-ME-WE 4 connected to the Singapore route, said the press release.​

 

[Saif]

BTRC lifts bar on local cache for faster internet

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) yesterday repealed a directive it had passed in 2021 restricting small and medium-sized internet service providers (ISPs) from installing cache servers for their network..This policy reversal is expected to enhance internet spee

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BTRC lifts bar on local cache for faster internet

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) yesterday repealed a directive it had passed in 2021 restricting small and medium-sized internet service providers (ISPs) from installing cache servers for their network.

This policy reversal is expected to enhance internet speeds and reduce operational costs for ISPs across the country.

Cache servers, which locally store frequently accessed content, play a crucial role in ensuring faster internet connectivity.

Their absence forced ISPs to route data from distant servers, resulting in slower speeds and increased operational expenses.

Industry experts and insiders have long argued that this limitation hampered the growth of the digital ecosystem, increasing the digital divide in Bangladesh.

With the ban now lifted, small and medium-sized ISPs, in addition to International Internet Gateways (IIGs), National Internet Exchanges (NIXs), and mobile operators, will also be able to install cache servers under specific conditions set by the BTRC.

Operators must inform the commission about the servers' specifications, installation sites, and agreements with suppliers.

Additionally, prior approval in the form of a no-objection certificate (NOC) is required before importing cache servers.

Operators must also submit monthly reports to the BTRC, detailing the servers' operational status and providing updates in case of server relocation or upgrades.

Furthermore, a monitoring link must be supplied to the commission to ensure regulatory oversight.

The move aligns Bangladesh's internet infrastructure with global best practices, where last-mile service providers use cache servers to deliver faster and more reliable internet services.

Experts said this decision would lead to significant improvements in service quality, allowing users to experience quicker access to online content.

For ISPs, the operational cost savings are expected to be substantial as the reliance on expensive, long distance data routing will be minimised.

Rakibul Hassan, chief technology officer of Link3 Technologies, hailed the development as a good initiative of the BTRC.

"It will significantly reduce our international bandwidth costs," he said.

However, for importing such equipment, the BTRC, customs, and other government agencies could collaborate to establish a single-window system, enabling streamlined processing, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Internet penetration rate declines

The country’s internet penetration rate has seen a gradual decline in the latter half of 2024, falling from 80.60 per cent in August to 79.48 per cent in September and further down to 78.61 per cent in...

www.newagebd.net

Internet penetration rate declines
Staff Correspondent 13 December, 2024, 21:55

The country’s internet penetration rate has seen a gradual decline in the latter half of 2024, falling from 80.60 per cent in August to 79.48 per cent in September and further down to 78.61 per cent in October, according to data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.

This metric, which reflects the proportion of the population with internet access, suggested a slowdown in the expansion of internet connectivity.

The decline indicates that while new users are being added, the rate of growth is not keeping pace with population increases or the demand for comprehensive internet coverage.

Mobile broadband subscriptions also witnessed a decrease during this period, dropping from 103.67 million in August to 102.39 million in September and then to 101.80 million in October.

This contraction suggests that some users may be transitioning away from mobile broadband.

According to experts, the shift is due to affordability issues and service quality.

Despite this dip in total subscriptions, 4G remains the dominant technology, with 10.81 crore subscribers in October, slightly down from 10.84 crore in September and 10.93 million in August.

This high adoption rate underscores the growing reliance on faster, more reliable internet services. In contrast, 3G subscribers continue to decline significantly, dropping from 49 lakh in August to 42.3 lakh by October-end, reflecting a gradual phasing out of older technologies in favour of 4G.

Fixed broadband services, which cater primarily to households and businesses, maintained a steady penetration rate of about 7.8 per cent throughout the period.

Even though the fixed broadband segment remains smaller than mobile broadband, it plays an essential role in ensuring stable and reliable connectivity for specific sectors.

Teledensity, a measure of total voice and internet subscriptions relative to the population, also recorded a slight decline, from 110.56 per cent in August to 109.02 per cent in October.

This aligns with the overall trend of declining internet penetration and mobile broadband subscriptions.​

 

[Saif]

ICT trailblazers honoured

Five companies and two individuals were honoured this evening at the 9th BRAC Bank-The Daily Star ICT Awards in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the advancement of Bangladesh’s information and communication technology sector

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ICT trailblazers honoured

From left, Rumana Ahmed, director of Logic Software Limited; Kowser Ahmed, managing director and CEO of The KOW Company; Rafel Kabir, managing director of Instasure Limited; Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star; Afeef Zaman, founder and CEO of ShopUp; Selim RF Hussain, managing director and CEO of BRAC Bank; Sadia Haque, co-founder and CEO of ShareTrip; Ahmed Kamal Khan Chowdhury, group adviser of SSL Wireless; Shahir Chowdhury, founder and CEO of Shikho; and Nazim Farhan Choudhury, chairman of The KOW Company, pose for a photo at the 9th BRAC Bank-The Daily Star ICT Awards ceremony at Le Meridien Dhaka today. Photo: Star

Five companies and two individuals were honoured this evening at the 9th BRAC Bank-The Daily Star ICT Awards in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the advancement of Bangladesh's information and communication technology sector.

Selim RF Hussain, managing director and chief executive officer of Brac Bank, along with Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, handed over the awards to the winners at a ceremony held at Le Meridien Dhaka, the hospitality partner for the event.

The event, which was organised in association with Brac Bank and Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services, began with a minute's silence paying tribute to the martyrs and injured of the mass uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League regime.

Afeef Zaman, founder and CEO of ShopUp, was recognised as the ICT Business Person of the year, while Sadia Haque, co-founder and CEO of ShareTrip, was awarded as the ICT Woman of the year.

Logic Software won the ICT Solution Provider of the year award in the local market focus category and The Kow Company in the international market focus category.

Software Shop (SSL Wireless) was awarded the Digital Commerce of the year, while Shikho and Instasure were the ICT start-ups of the year.

Although ICT has been regarded as the future, it has not been given due importance in Bangladesh, Anam said.

"We haven't given the ICT sector enough support, enough importance, enough legal supportive environment, enough financial incentives for it to flourish."

Only through ICT can Bangladesh catch up with the developed world.

"The application of ICT can advance our health to a much higher standard, provide access to global experts in Bangladesh and connect experts in Dhaka with patients in rural areas. Similarly, in the education sector. Whatever we try, whatever money we spend, we cannot keep our education aligned with the evolution of education in the world except through technology."

Besides, the digitisation of the government system could decrease corruption overnight, Anam added.

There are many who feel that the banking sector should be investing much more in ICT and perhaps there is something to be said about that, said BRAC Bank MD Selim RF Hussain.

"The future does belong to ICT usage and we are confident that banks in Bangladesh will continue to invest in and expand their digital banking capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve customer service, become cost-efficient and fraud detection and prevention."

Going forward, banks will increasingly partner with fintech companies to gain access to new technologies and services to stay competitive in the rapidly changing digital landscape.

"Obviously, this is also an exciting time for banks and financial institutions -- many of them have already significantly upgraded themselves with their digital-first strategies to serve the customers."

The adoption of digital banking channels, implementation of digital onboarding processes (eKYC), use of advanced analytics, development of digital products and services and automation of back-office processes are taking place with great momentum, Hussain added.

Founded in 2010, Logic Software is a leader in providing customised ERP solutions for industries like textiles, garments and leather.

By addressing inventory, production and financial challenges, the company helps businesses streamline operations. The company has processed more than $15 billion in transactions, boosting Bangladesh's economy.

The KOW Company excels in content post-production and 3D innovation.

With over 500 professionals and AI-driven technology, the company processes 32,000 to 35,000 assets daily.

Partnering with global brands like Adidas, it delivers exceptional visual content across industries, setting new standards in media production and creative solutions.

Under Sadia Haque's leadership, ShareTrip has revolutionised travel services in Bangladesh, generating more than $100 million in gross merchandise value.

Her vision has made ShareTrip a leader in the travel industry and digital commerce.

Under Afeef Zaman's leadership, ShopUp raised $174 million in South Asia's largest Series B funding round, driving ShopUp's success.

By focusing on digital credit, logistics and business management, he has transformed the country's e-commerce landscape.

Founded in 2019, Shikho is transforming Bangladesh's edtech landscape by offering localised, interactive educational content in Bengali.

With its mobile app, Shikho provides engaging learning tools for students, addressing education gaps and enabling better retention. The company has secured $6.5 million in funding, expanding its reach and impact.

Founded in 2022, Instasure has pioneered Bangladesh's first embedded insurance platform.

With strategic partnerships and an innovative approach, it offers insurance products at the point of purchase.

By making insurance accessible, particularly for underserved communities, Instasure is reshaping the industry and addressing low penetration rates.

SSL Wireless, founded in 1999, has become a leader in Bangladesh's ICT sector, specialising in digital commerce solutions.

The company's flagship product, Hercules One, integrates over 250,000 merchants, improving business efficiency.

SSL Wireless is also driving Bangladesh's digital transformation and advancing a cashless economy through its innovative offerings.

Ahmed Kamal Khan Chowdhury, group adviser of SSL Wireless; Shahir Chowdhury, founder and CEO of Shikho; Rafel Kabir, managing director of Instasure; Kowser Ahmed, MD and CEO of The KOW Company; Rumana Ahmed, director at Logic Software; Afeef Zaman and Sadia Haque received the award.​

 

[Saif]

Mobile phone talktime, internet to be costlier

The NBR will increase supplementary duty on mobile phone usage by 3 percentage points

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Mobile phone talktime, internet to be costlier
The NBR will increase supplementary duty on mobile phone usage by 3 percentage points

Mobile phone talktime and internet will become costlier as the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is planning to increase supplementary duty (SD) on cellphone use to 23 percent from the existing 20 percent.

After the hike, mobile phone users will face over 42.45 percent in SD, value-added tax and surcharge, up from 39 percent at present.

"We have taken the initiative to increase supplementary duty on mobile phone usage in order to increase revenue collection," said an official of the NBR seeking anonymity.

The initiative is part of the NBR's bid to raise VAT and SDs on 43 goods and services, including restaurants, air travels, sweets, hotels and clothing. A 15 percent VAT is expected to be slapped on the items, which are currently paying between 5 to 7.5 percent.

The tax administrator is expected to issue a notification regarding the hikes in VAT and SD this week, according to the official.​

 

[Saif]

Mobile internet users dropped by 44 lakh in November

The number of mobile internet subscribers in Bangladesh witnessed a significant drop of 44 lakh in November, contributing to an overall decline in internet subscribers to 13.28 crore from that in October.

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Mobile internet users dropped by 44 lakh in November

The number of mobile internet subscribers in Bangladesh witnessed a significant drop of 44 lakh in November, contributing to an overall decline in internet subscribers to 13.28 crore from that in October.

This decline marks the highest drop in internet subscribers since August 2021, based on data available on the website of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

It also represents the fifth consecutive month of decline since July. Over those five months, internet subscriber numbers have decreased by a staggering 90 lakh.

Industry experts identified a VAT hike on SIM cards as the primary reason for this decline.

In July, the VAT was raised by 50 percent, from Tk 200 to Tk 300.

This hike has made it difficult for mobile operators, particularly smaller ones like Banglalink and Robi, to continue subsidising SIM cards.

Larger operators like Grameenphone, with greater financial resources, have managed to absorb the tax hike.

This resulted in fewer new connections and increased competition imbalances.

The increased cost of SIM cards has also discouraged onboarding of new customers, especially amid ongoing economic challenges that have reduced disposable income.

"We have been observing the declining trend in a number of connections for the last couple of months. High rate of inflation is the primary reason for such scenario," said Shahed Alam, chief corporate and regulatory officer at Robi Axiata.

Besides, the increased rate of SIM tax decreasing mobile network operators' capability of providing subsidy in new customer acquisition resulted in an overall decline in the total number of subscribers, he said.

"The recent decline in mobile internet subscribers can be attributed to several factors," said Taimur Rahman, chief corporate and regulatory affairs officer of Banglalink.

"The current economic challenges have likely slowed the entry of new users and the reactivation of inactive ones," he said.

The increase in SIM tax in the last budget has made it harder for mobile operators to subsidise SIM cards -- an essential driver of subscriber growth in the past, he said.

Smaller operators are particularly affected as larger ones can afford greater subsidies, which exacerbates competition imbalances in the telecom market, Rahman said.

To reverse this trend, policymakers should consider reducing the SIM tax to make connectivity more affordable, he said.

At the same time, government-led digital literacy initiatives could significantly boost mobile penetration, delivering wider socioeconomic benefits, he added.

A significant reason for the drop in active users could be economic hardship or growing reliance on fixed broadband, but the definition of active mobile internet users also requires scrutiny, Abu Nazam M Tanveer Hossain, a telecom expert.

The current report considers only Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Numbers (MSISDNs) active in the past three months, ignoring usage patterns or devices, he said.

"The regulator should prioritise unique user numbers, which is feasible as each MSISDN is linked to an NID. This would help determine whether changes in user numbers reflect genuine trends or a reporting strategy by operators," he added.

According to BTRC data, November's decline was solely due to the fall in mobile internet subscribers, reducing the total to 11.90 crore. The number of broadband users remained unchanged at 1.37 crore.​