[🇧🇩] ICT Industry in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Govt plans ‘fibre optic bank’ to use idle networks

The government has decided to establish a national “fibre optic bank”, which will bring all unused fibre optic resources from state-owned entities under a single platform in a bid to accelerate digital transformation.

www.thedailystar.net

Govt plans ‘fibre optic bank’ to use idle networks

The government has decided to establish a national "fibre optic bank", which will bring all unused fibre optic resources from state-owned entities under a single platform in a bid to accelerate digital transformation.

The telecom and ICT divisions have officially invited Bangladesh Railway and the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) to join this fibre-sharing consortium, alongside Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) and Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC).

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser with executive authority over the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, recently sent a letter to Railways and Power Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, outlining the government's vision for this initiative and urging participation.

40% OF PUBLIC FIBRE NETWORKS REMAIN UNUSED

The letter, seen by The Daily Star, states that over the past decade, different government agencies have installed thousands of kilometres of optical fibre—much of which remains underutilised or completely idle.

The letter notes that, in total, BTCL, PGCB, Railway, and BCC own 78,400 kilometres (km) of fibre network. Of this, an estimated 40 percent remains unused.

"We are wasting a vital national asset by leaving large portions of optical fibre unused. It's time we came together and built a centrally managed, transparent, and efficient fibre ecosystem for all," Taiyeb said.

He also said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has verbally endorsed the plan, enabling the Posts and Telecom Division to formally invite PGCB and Bangladesh Railway to the consortium.

"This is not just about connectivity. It's about bringing digital transformation where every union has high-speed access and every public resource is optimally used," he added.

Taiyeb's letter to Adviser Fouzul details that BTCL possesses a fibre network stretching over 39,500 km, 90 percent of which is underground.

BCC, on the other hand, has deployed 27,695 km of fibre under the InfoSarkar-3 project, which aims to expand high-speed internet access to rural areas covering 2,600 unions, with work ongoing for an additional 7,000 km expansion.

Meanwhile, PGCB has around 8,000 km of fibre along the power grid, a large portion of which remains unused. In addition, Bangladesh Railway owns 3,205 km of fibre lines, a significant part of which remains unused.

In his letter to the Ministry of Railways, Taiyeb states that leasing out the idle fibre networks could generate more than Tk 500 crore annually

Bringing fibre from the InfoSarkar-3 project, however, may not turn out to be that smooth, as the government inked a deal in 2023 with Summit Communications and Fibre@Home for maintenance, upgradation, replacement, and operation of the project.

The two private companies receive 90 percent of the revenue under the agreement. The ICT Division has recently sought to amend the deals.

Taiyeb, in the letter, said the lack of interconnectivity among these networks, combined with restrictive policies under the previous government, prevented entities like PGCB and Railway from offering last-mile connectivity to telecom operators—causing massive underutilisation of national assets.

The proposed national fibre bank aims to fix these issues by unifying the fibre networks of all four agencies into a single, centrally coordinated platform.

MORE REVENUE, FASTER INTERNET

In his letter to the Ministry of Railways, Taiyeb states that leasing out the idle fibre networks could generate more than Tk 500 crore annually.

Joint network maintenance under BTCL's experienced operations could reduce operating expenses by up to 30 percent.

Bandwidth cost from private NTTN operators is likely to fall from Tk 18,000 per Gbps to as low as Tk 5,000—a potential 70 percent reduction.

Besides, the letter states that only 25 percent of mobile towers are currently fibre-connected.

With an integrated backbone, this can reach 100 percent, allowing a low-cost, nationwide 5G rollout.

The overlapping paths of BTCL, PGCB, and Railway fibre also provide high redundancy, essential during natural disasters.

The initiative could enable 1 Gbps or higher internet speeds in every union by integrating existing Points of Presence (POPs) from BTCL (1,200 unions), BCC (2,600 unions), PGCB, and Railway.

The proposed national fibre bank would provide reliable, scalable access to telco-grade fibre—essential for services like IoT, telemedicine, distance education, and smart city development.

As per Taiyeb's letter, the proposed fibre bank will include a GIS-based real-time inventory system, identifying the location, core count, and status of each fibre line.

This will ensure transparency in leasing and allow selective, need-based access—for instance, during emergency government communications.

The letter also proposes an inter-ministerial meeting, involving Bangladesh Railway, PGCB, BTCL, BCC, and other stakeholders, to finalise the integration strategy and operational guidelines.

Companies that will lease fibre from the upcoming national fibre bank will be able to generate revenue from it. The earnings will be distributed among the government-owned companies, the telecom regulator, and the maintenance partners, Taiyeb said.

"For example, if Summit Communications and Fiber@Home are involved in maintenance, they will also receive a share of the revenue," he added.

LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD

In the letter, Taiyeb criticises the previous Awami League-led government for restricting state fibre owners from servicing telecom demand beyond their grid or track.

Such policies reportedly benefited certain politically connected private firms at the cost of public efficiency, the letter states.

The proposed fibre bank aims to level the playing field and put state-owned fibre assets to commercial and social use, within a regulatory framework that ensures transparency, competition, and affordability.

Fahim Mashroor, former president of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), welcomed the move, saying it would benefit users by enabling faster and more affordable internet access.

"Particularly, if this initiative can ensure low-cost internet in remote areas, it will not only benefit consumers but also significantly boost Bangladesh's digital economy," he added.​

 

[Saif]

SpaceX VP Lauren Dreyer praises Bangladesh’s efficiency in facilitating Starlink launch

The Vice President of SpaceX, Lauren Dreyer, has commended the coordinated efforts of government officials in Bangladesh for supporting the effective launching of Starlink in the country. She made the remarks during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jam

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

SpaceX VP Lauren Dreyer praises Bangladesh’s efficiency in facilitating Starlink launch

Published :
Jul 18, 2025 18:06
Updated :
Jul 18, 2025 18:06

The Vice President of SpaceX, Lauren Dreyer, has commended the coordinated efforts of government officials in Bangladesh for supporting the effective launching of Starlink in the country.

She made the remarks during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Friday, reports BSS.

“We operate in 150 countries and territories. We have never seen such efficiency and decisiveness. On behalf of all my colleagues at SpaceX, I extend our appreciation to you. We look forward to working closely with your team,” she said.

Chief Adviser thanked the Vice President for visiting Bangladesh. “It’s a lovely time of year here, the monsoon season. Greenery and water everywhere. At the same time, we face challenges of flooding and waterlogging, which highlight the need for dependable technology to maintain connectivity.”

“There is also a pressing need for improved connectivity in the remote areas of our hill tracts. These regions lack proper schools, teachers, and doctors. We have set a target to introduce online education in 100 schools, which will benefit students in isolated areas,” he said.

Emphasising inclusive healthcare, the Chief Adviser said, “We are prioritising digital healthcare so that people in remote areas can consult doctors online. Their medical histories will be stored digitally, making future consultations easier.

“This is particularly important during pregnancy, a time when women often need male assistance to visit a doctor. With digital services, they can consult doctors from home,” he said.

“Bangladeshi expatriates will also benefit from digital health services. Many hesitate to consult doctors abroad due to language barriers. With this system, they will be able to consult Bangladeshi doctors from overseas. We are implementing small initiatives here, but you can take these projects global,’ he said.

Lauren Dreyer expressed her appreciation for Professor Yunus’s insights. “The example you are setting here can be shared with other leaders. If Professor Yunus can do it in his country, then others can as well,” she said.

She also commended Professor Yunus’s efforts in combating corruption.

“Your initiatives to ensure that public services reach the people are highly commendable. A significant part of my work involves travelling around the world. I understand how serious an issue corruption can be. Using technology to decentralize services and improve governance is a meaningful vision,” she said.

Richard Griffiths, Global Engagement Consultant of SpaceX; National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman; Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb; and Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, were also present at the meeting.​

 

[Saif]

Starlink officially launches in Bangladesh

Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by US-based private space operator SpaceX, has officially launched in Bangladesh. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, made the announcement at a press conference held at the boa

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Starlink officially launches in Bangladesh

UNB
Published :
Jul 18, 2025 19:56
Updated :
Jul 18, 2025 19:56

Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by US-based private space operator SpaceX, has officially launched in Bangladesh.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, made the announcement at a press conference held at the boardroom of Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka at 5:30 pm on Friday (18 July).

A high-level delegation from Starlink was present at the event, led by Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Business Operations, and Richard Griffiths, Director of International Strategy and Government Relations.

Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb said that Starlink has begun providing services in Bangladesh under the direct guidance and initiative of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus. “This is not only a technological achievement but also a groundbreaking step in strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure,” he said.

During her speech, Lauren Dreyer commended the Government of Bangladesh for its bold, visionary leadership in bringing next-generation connectivity to its people.

“While many nations deliberate, Bangladesh acted,” Dreyer said. “By embracing connectivity as a foundation for human potential, you have positioned your nation as a model for others to follow.”

She highlighted the speed and decisiveness of the Government of Bangladesh, noting that within just a few months of initial dialogue, Starlink service had moved from discussion to deployment. Approvals were finalized by May 2025, and the first Bangladeshi customers were online shortly thereafter.

“This is not just about satellites,” Dreyer said. “We are launching opportunities—opportunities for remote learning, telemedicine, digital entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.”

She also acknowledged the role of local partners including Felicity IDC and Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited, emphasizing that long-term success depends on collaboration between global innovators and national stakeholders.

In a time when digital inclusion is synonymous with economic resilience, the launch of Starlink reaffirms the Government of Bangladesh’s commitment to ensuring connectivity as a right—not a privilege.

“The future we are building together,” Dreyer concluded, “belongs to every person in Bangladesh who will now have access to the boundless opportunities that connectivity provides.”

Following approximately three months of trial operations, Starlink formally started service on Friday.

The company has been granted a 10-year ‘Satellite Operator Licence’ and ‘Radio Communication Operators Licence’ by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

Installation Cost and Service Packages

To access Starlink’s services, customers will need to purchase a setup kit priced at Tk 42,000. The kit includes a satellite receiver dish, router, power supply, and other necessary components.

Starlink is initially offering two subscription packages:

Starlink Residential: Priced at Tk 6,000 per month, this package offers unlimited internet access with speeds of up to 300 Mbps.

Starlink Lite: Priced at Tk 4,200 per month, this lower-cost package also provides uninterrupted internet access, albeit at comparatively lower speeds.​

 

[Saif]

Does the Computer Science curriculum in Bangladesh need a reset?

In this ever-expanding universe of subfields, a single, generalised undergraduate degree can begin to feel like a jack-of-all-trades programme that risks giving students only superficial exposure to areas they may later wish to master.

www.thedailystar.net

Does the Computer Science curriculum in Bangladesh need a reset?

With the field evolving at an unprecedented rate, universities and students have been left to wonder how they can adapt as industries diverge into increasingly specialised routes.

Illustration: Junaid Iqbal Ishmam

Picture this: You've just wrapped up your Computer Science (CS) degree from a top university in Bangladesh. You've got the grades, a solid CGPA, and have learnt everything taught in class by heart. But then, you start scrolling through job listings, and it feels like you've landed on another planet.

Even entry-level positions – be it software engineers or artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) roles – often sound like they expect skills you barely touched in class. Suddenly, you're left wondering: Did my four years in university actually prepare me for the real world? Or is there something seriously off with the CS curriculum we're being taught under?

Understanding the problem at hand

The CS degree has long been the standard pathway for tech aspirants in Bangladesh. Yet with the field branching into subcategories like AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Fintech, Digital Health, etc., can a single, broad undergraduate programme still meet the needs of students and industry?

In this ever-expanding universe of subfields, a single, generalised undergraduate degree can begin to feel like a jack-of-all-trades programme that risks giving students only superficial exposure to areas they may later wish to master.

So, should our universities fragment the broad Computer Science degrees into narrowly defined and highly specialised degree tracks? To figure that out, we have to take into consideration Bangladesh's academic ecosystem, our students' readiness for early specialisation, and the practical constraints our universities face.

Could specialised tracks be the solution?

Specialised degree tracks offer many benefits to both academic and professional lives. By concentrating on a specific domain, like Data Science or Software Engineering, students gain in-depth knowledge of the theories, tools, and practices that define their field. Graduates emerge with expertise that often takes years to acquire through on-the-job experience, boosting their confidence and signaling to employers their immediate value.

From an academic standpoint, focused tracks foster the creation of dedicated research labs and industry collaborations, giving students access to cutting-edge projects and real-world datasets.

Farnaz Fawad, a Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) graduate from BRAC University, currently working at a private company, remembers feeling constrained by a curriculum that treated Computer Science as a monolith, despite the field's immense internal diversity.

"In my opinion, the current CS curriculum in most universities feels quite outdated," says Farnaz. "While it's important to learn the fundamentals, the way it is structured doesn't really allow students to explore the different branches within Computer Science."

Farnaz also pointed out the difficulties this causes when students step into their professional lives, "When you enter the job market in Bangladesh, you often have to learn entirely new tools, technologies, or even legacy systems. In some cases, it is highly like that these weren't covered or even discussed during your academics."

Mehidy, a CSE graduate from National University, currently working as a software security engineer at a private bank, expressed similar views, "My CSE degree gave me a broad foundation across many areas of computing. That breadth actually helped me discover my passion for Cybersecurity, which wasn't something I was initially aware of. I had the freedom to explore different domains before choosing what truly excited me."

"However, once I found that interest, I realised how little depth my formal education offered in the field," continues Mehidy. "To pursue a career in Cybersecurity, I had to seek out a lot of external resources such as online courses, certifications, and training programmes to build the practical skills and domain knowledge the industry demands. If our academic structure allowed for more focused specialisations within the CS or CSE curriculum, like offering tracks in Cybersecurity or AI, it would empower students to go deeper once they have identified their interest, without having to start from scratch after graduation."

Photo: Orchid Chakma

The case against specialised CS tracks in Bangladesh

Not everyone, however, agrees with the concept of early specialisation in the CS field. Polash, who graduated from North South University (NSU) and is now working at a German IT firm as a data analyst, thinks that a CS or CSE degree, despite some shortcomings, is the best way forward.

"Having completed a CSE degree, I can confidently say it was instrumental in helping me discover where my true interests lie. Without that solid foundation – covering everything from algorithms and data structures to networking and databases – it's very difficult to pinpoint your calling," says Polash.

Polash adds, "In Bangladesh, many students complete their higher secondary (high school) education with only a cursory exposure to computing, and they simply aren't ready to dive straight into specialised topics. A broad undergraduate programme gives them the time and context they need to explore, learn, and choose the path that suits them best."

Universities in countries like the US, UK and Australia have already started offering specialised degrees within the CS field at the undergraduate level. However, that might not yield desired results in the context of Bangladesh.

Prof. Tanzima Hashem, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), cautions against simply importing the specialisation models from countries where well-defined subfields are backed by robust research ecosystems, extensive industry linkages, and mature job markets.

"In countries like the US, UK, and Australia, specialised roles in AI, Data Science, or Cybersecurity are well-defined, supported by mature job markets, well-funded research ecosystems, and strong academia–industry linkages," says Prof. Hashem. "In Bangladesh, however, the tech ecosystem is still developing, and the demand is more for adaptable engineers who have a solid foundation and can be upskilled as needed. It may also reduce their ability to pivot into cross-disciplinary fields like fintech, digital health, or computational agriculture – areas that are slowly emerging in Bangladesh and often require foundational breadth rather than narrow technical specialisation."

Industry demands are not the only factor here. Student preparedness is also something that has to be taken into account when we are talking about restructuring the CS curriculum. A major risk of requiring students to choose specialised tracks too early is that many lack the background and counseling to make those decisions wisely.

"Most students in Bangladesh enter university without sufficient early exposure to computing or access to high school-level career counseling," Prof. Hashem notes. "Requiring them to commit to a specialised track too early – often in their first or second year – may result in choices based on incomplete understanding or social pressure rather than informed interest. This can lead to long-term mismatches between their academic training and career strengths."

Besides, many universities in Bangladesh face a shortage of expert faculty in emerging domains – a problem that is compounded by limited funding and logistical barriers.

"Introducing specialised undergraduate programmes in fields like AI, Cybersecurity, or Data Science presents several other challenges for universities in Bangladesh," shares Prof. Hashem. "A major concern is the shortage of expert faculty in these emerging areas, which makes it difficult to ensure high-quality education. Infrastructure is another significant constraint. Specialised programmes require high-performance computing facilities, advanced laboratories, and access to large-scale datasets to support hands-on learning. Many Bangladeshi universities, however, struggle to provide these essentials due to funding and logistical limitations."

The need for finding the right balance in our CS curriculum

According to Prof. Hashem, a more balanced and layered approach is the ideal way forward for Bangladesh, for now. "A broad CS or CSE degree that offers domain-focused electives, capstone projects, and internships in the later years can strike the right balance, allowing students to build deep expertise without sacrificing the flexibility needed in a still-evolving context. The CSE department at BUET is already moving in this direction. In the fourth year of the undergraduate programme, students can choose optional courses and pursue thesis work in areas such as AI, Software Engineering, or Cybersecurity. At the postgraduate level, the department has introduced advanced degree programmes in five key areas – Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering, Computing, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – alongside the regular CSE track."

Fragmenting the CSE curriculum into specialised degrees poses many challenges that stem from issues in our education system, academia-industry gaps, and Bangladesh's overall tech ecosystem, which is still in its infancy. Addressing these issues could be the first steps towards paving the way for more specialised undergraduate degrees in the field of Computer Science in Bangladesh.

As Bangladesh charts its own path in tech education, it must weigh the allure of early specialisation against the proven benefits of a broad foundation. A good way forward, for now, could be finding a middle ground as noted by Prof. Hashem. In the end, the question may not be whether or not to offer specialise tracks, but when and how.

Bipra Prasun Das studies Computer Science and Engineering at North South University.​