[🇧🇩] 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.

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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.

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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.​

 

[Saif]

When seeing is not believing

Besides amending existing cybersecurity laws, Bangladesh could take lessons from advanced countries that are trying to regulate AI usage writes Syed Tashfin Chowdhury As Artificial Intelligence-based software and tools continue to take over many aspects of professio

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

When seeing is not believing

Syed Tashfin Chowdhury
Published :
Aug 07, 2025 23:32
Updated :
Aug 07, 2025 23:32

Besides amending existing cybersecurity laws, Bangladesh could take lessons from advanced countries that are trying to regulate AI usage, writes

Syed Tashfin Chowdhury

As Artificial Intelligence-based software and tools continue to take over many aspects of professional and personal lives, concerns have been raised by AI experts as well as authorities in various advanced countries regarding the ethical usage of AI. A niche area within this broad subject is media manipulation-specifically, the manipulation of images, videos, audio clips etc. Unscrupulous individuals with knowledge of AI tools develop and spread doctored or fabricated materials through social media platforms and other forums.

As AI continues to progress at a rapid pace, these techniques are also evolving. It is imperative for relevant government departments to understand the tools and mechanisms at play so that they can be brought under the purview of cybersecurity laws and effective steps can be taken against perpetrators.

AI-GENERATED IMAGES: Around the end of last year, some photos of a popular Bangladeshi film actor went viral on social media platforms. Some users shared the content without thinking much. Soon, she had to declare that the photos were AI-generated. Someone had taken her photos and used AI to create new images. As a result, the photos showed her scantily clad on a rooftop.

This can be done quite easily using at least four or five different tools, including Midjourney and DALL-E. These can be used to add, remove, or change elements in an actual photo. Photoshop's Generative Fill also uses AI to edit existing photos.

As a result, it becomes difficult for anyone seeing such images online to tell whether they are real or doctored. This leads to the spread of misinformation, causing panic and resulting in financial and emotional disruptions.

Earlier this week, AI-generated images of wildfires in British Columbia caused panic among local communities in Canada. The B.C. Wildfire Service quickly urged concerned families and individuals to download their app, sign up for alerts, and trust only credible media sources.

DEEPFAKES: One of the most baffling stories of deepfake deception is that of internet sensation Babydoll Archi from India. At one point this year, Archi's Instagram account had over 1.4 million followers.

The reason behind her popularity was quite obvious. The account posted videos and images of Archi. In one video, she was dancing to a popular song; in another, she appeared to be standing with an American porn star. This led to rumours that Archi might be joining the American porn industry.

In reality, Archi never existed. Her likeness was created using AI, based on images of a homemaker from Assam. This woman's ex-boyfriend, Pratim Bora, used her images after they had broken up in 2020.

Bora, an artificial intelligence enthusiast, created the Babydoll Archi profile. The first uploads to the account were made in 2021, with more content posted in 2023 and onwards.

Initially, the victim's family was unaware. Later, after they found out, her brother filed a complaint with the police, who arrested Bora. Senior police officer Sizal Agarwal told the BBC last month that Bora used tools such as ChatGPT and Dzine to create an AI version of Babydoll Archi. He then populated the handle with deepfake photos and videos. Though the account started picking up likes last year, it began gaining traction from April this year, Agarwal added.

For deepfake videos, AI models-especially deep learning techniques like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)-are trained on numerous images or videos of a person. The AI learns how their face moves and sounds, which can then be overlaid onto another video.

Besides being used to exact revenge on ex-girlfriends and boyfriends, deepfakes have recently been used in many countries ahead of elections to confuse voters and sway public opinion.

FACE SWAPPING: You've probably come across videos of influencers enacting popular or funny lines from politicians, actors etc., on their social media platforms. Their faces look almost like the person they're imitating in those videos. This feature is available on TikTok and Snapchat as filters. AI maps facial features and blends them seamlessly. Though influencers use this to entertain followers, the same technology can easily be used to vilify a person and falsely blame them for something they haven't said or done.

Just this year, a scammer used live face-swapping technology during video calls with an older woman. The scammer impersonated a younger, attractive man and tricked the woman into a romantic relationship.

In China, a businessman was tricked into transferring over 4.3 million yuan (approx. $622,000) during a video call with someone he thought was his associate. The associate's face had been swapped by scammers using facial landmark detection and lip-syncing to make the fake face look natural during the Zoom call. The victim only realised the fraud after the real associate informed him that no such conversation had taken place.

VOICE CLONING / AI VOICE SYNTHESIS: Recently, there have been cases of businessmen receiving phone calls from supposed politicians, senior police officials, and others demanding money. Their voices sound exactly like the real person-even the mannerisms are the same.

AI models are trained on audio recordings of a person's voice. Once trained, the model can generate speech in that voice from any text. It's that simple for tech-savvy scammers and criminals to make money these days!

TEXT-TO-IMAGE AND SYNTHETIC MEDIA: You may have come across videos on Facebook where a news reporter is reporting from an unknown location about potholes on Dhaka's streets, and in the background, a motorcycle rider speeds toward a pothole and drowns in the water.

Such videos or images can be generated from written descriptions.

Synthetic media is slightly more advanced. AI enthusiasts can combine their knowledge of voice cloning, deepfakes, and AI-generated images to make a whole situation look believable.

There have been numerous incidents in recent times. One that comes to mind is the audio clip of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer being verbally abusive to his staff. The clip was viewed over 1.5 million times in 2023 and is suspected to have been generated using synthetic media for political manipulation.

SOCKPUPPETS: 'Sockpuppets' are fake online identities created by AI and used for various illegal gains. For example, it is widely believed that during the 2016 US election, thousands of sockpuppet accounts were created online. These accounts, posing as Americans, spread divisive content to influence voters.

Our government departments need to catch up with such AI tools and how fast they are evolving. Besides amending existing cybersecurity laws, Bangladesh could take lessons from advanced countries that are trying to regulate AI usage. For instance, Denmark has proposed new deepfake legislation as part of its digital copyright law. It aims to protect individuals' rights from the impact of AI-generated deepfakes, including both deepfakes of artists' performances and the characteristics of natural persons. Though the proposed amendment to the Copyright Act is likely to affect enterprises' use of the technology, it will also offer protection against misuse.

Syed Tashfin Chowdhury is a communications professional.​

 

[Saif]

Is Bangladesh's digital transformation deepening a new architecture of inequality?

Bangladesh's rapid socio-economic transformation is often celebrated as one of the most compelling success stories in the Global South. The rise of the ready-made garment industry, the expansion of mobile banking and digital finance, the push toward technology-enabled services, and the ambition to

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Is Bangladesh's digital transformation deepening a new architecture of inequality?

Matiur Rahman
Published :
Nov 28, 2025 23:19
Updated :
Nov 28, 2025 23:19

Bangladesh's rapid socio-economic transformation is often celebrated as one of the most compelling success stories in the Global South. The rise of the ready-made garment industry, the expansion of mobile banking and digital finance, the push toward technology-enabled services, and the ambition to build a modern, knowledge-oriented economy have created a sense of accelerating progress. Yet beneath this optimistic narrative lies a more complex and less visible story-one that concerns the deepening patterns of inequality produced by the digital transition itself.

The inequality unfolding today is not simply an extension of older divides. It reflects a restructuring of power through digital systems, new knowledge hierarchies, technological access barriers, and ideological narratives that determine who benefits from digitalisation and who is left behind. These emerging patterns cannot be understood solely through traditional measures of income or wealth. They are embedded in socio-epistemic structures that shape how individuals acquire knowledge, participate in networks in an increasingly technology-dependent society.

A sophisticated lens for understanding this dynamic is offered by Bolivian sociologist and data theorist Ricardo Alonzo FernándezSalguero. In his 2025 work, "A Synthetic Theory of Socio-Epistemic Structuration: Capital, Ideology, and Agency in the Age of Digital Inequality", Salguero argues that inequality in the digital era is shaped by the interplay of material capital, epistemic capital, and ideological power. His framework is especially relevant for Bangladesh as the country continues to push forward with its digitalisation drive.

Salguero's core argument is that inequality today operates through dual structures. Material capital still matters, but epistemic capital-the ability to acquire, interpret, and strategically deploy digital knowledge-has become the decisive determinant of social mobility. This includes proficiency in global languages, familiarity with digital platforms, access to networks, and the capacity to shape narratives about innovation and progress. In Bangladesh, where digital expansion is rapid but uneven, epistemic capital has emerged as the sharpest line dividing those who benefit from the transition from those who remain marginalised.

This marks a shift from older patterns of stratification based primarily on land, income, or assets. While these factors remain influential, they no longer fully capture the dynamics of upward mobility. The current digital landscape in Bangladesh shows that access to devices, internet connectivity, or platforms does not necessarily translate into real empowerment. Instead, cognitive capacity, cultural orientation, and ideological framing determine who can convert digital tools into meaningful opportunities.

The ready-made garment sector offers a microcosm of this paradox. Millions of women from rural areas migrate to industrial cities seeking better livelihoods. They form the backbone of Bangladesh's export economy and contribute significantly to national growth. With the expansion of affordable smartphones, many now possess devices that could serve as gateways to financial literacy, online education, and digital entrepreneurship. Yet, for most, these devices remain tools for communication or entertainment rather than instruments of empowerment.

This gap is structural rather than individual. Salguero identifies this as a failure in socio-epistemic structuration. Workers are materially included in the economy but remain excluded from the epistemic structures necessary for strategic digital agency. They have physical access to technology but lack the cognitive, educational, and institutional support required to benefit from it. Their participation is visible, yet their empowerment remains limited.

Urban, English-proficient youth in sectors like ICT, e-commerce, software development, fintech, and global freelancing occupy the opposite pole. They enjoy the advantages of both material and epistemic capital. They grow up in environments that foster digital fluency, exposure to global media, and access to mentors, networks, and high-speed connectivity.

This dual advantage enables them to shape markets, influence policy, and secure high-value opportunities. Their narratives of success are often used as evidence of inclusive digital progress. But their achievements reflect an accumulation of structural privileges that remain inaccessible to many. Digital inequality here is not merely technological-it is fundamentally cognitive and ideological.

Education intensifies these divides. Students in English-medium or elite urban private schools absorb epistemic capital almost effortlessly. They encounter digital platforms early, solve problems in dynamic learning environments, and develop the confidence required to navigate international spaces. Their trajectory naturally aligns with globalised digital labour markets.

In contrast, rural and government-school students experience limited and uneven exposure to digital learning. Even when devices or connectivity are introduced, teaching methods often remain mechanical and disconnected from the skills needed for genuine digital participation. As a result, opportunities in freelancing, remote work, start-up ecosystems, and digital entrepreneurship become stratified before young people even reach adulthood.

Mobile financial services present similar contradictions. Platforms such as bKash, Nagad, and Rocket are frequently cited as examples of financial inclusion. Their reach is impressive, yet their usage patterns reveal deep disparities. Urban professionals use these tools for investment, savings, digital commerce, and wealth planning, while rural households use them primarily for remittance transfers. The difference is not access but strategic capacity.

Without financial education, digital literacy, and exposure to long-term planning, the transformative potential of mobile finance remains concentrated within a narrow elite. Digital access without cognitive empowerment simply reproduces old inequalities under new technological conditions.

Ideology plays a subtle but powerful role in reinforcing these patterns. The national digital transformation agenda celebrates start-ups, fintech innovation, and youth entrepreneurship. These narratives highlight the achievements of digitally fluent urban professionals while rendering invisible the structural challenges faced by others. The discourse promotes an implicit hierarchy that legitimises the privileges of the digitally empowered and obscures the systemic barriers confronting the digitally excluded.

The gig economy provides a particularly revealing example. Online platforms claim to be open, merit-based systems. Yet those who succeed are typically equipped with advanced English proficiency, strong digital portfolios, algorithmic literacy, and socio-cultural flexibility. Those without these skills are often confined to low-wage, low-skill tasks that offer little mobility. The digital labour market is therefore stratified not by access alone but by epistemic capital.

Gender overlays these inequalities in profound ways. Women constitute a major force in Bangladesh's economy, especially in the informal and garments sectors, yet their participation in high-value digital sectors remains limited. Restrictive social norms, unequal access to education, constraints on mobility, and limited exposure to technology prevent many women from acquiring the digital competencies needed to enter emerging professions. While urban middle-class women are increasingly entering ICT roles, rural and low-income women continue to face structural barriers. Digitalisation thus intersects with gender to produce multilayered inequalities.

Rural-urban migrants represent another group caught in this structural divide. Their labour sustains major cities, yet their participation in the digital economy remains minimal. Their employment is typically informal, insecure, and low-paid, with limited opportunities for digital upskilling.

Salguero's theory helps explain why these inequalities persist and deepen. Inequality is recursive: those who possess both material and epistemic capital shape institutions in ways that reproduce their advantages. In Bangladesh, private universities, elite schools, well-funded tech incubators, corporate ecosystems, and urban innovation hubs create environments that favour those who already have the prerequisites for digital success. These structures define what counts as knowledge, whose expertise is valued, and whose presence is marginalised.

Bangladesh is now at a crucial juncture. The digital transition is expanding rapidly, but without deliberate policy intervention, the socio-epistemic divide will widen further. Reducing this divide requires more than expanding connectivity or distributing devices. It calls for embedding cognitive digital competencies into the national education system, reimagining skills development as a lifelong process, and ensuring that marginalised groups can participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

Strengthening digital literacy through public institutions, promoting community-based technology hubs, supporting women's digital leadership, expanding rural innovation centres, and protecting gig workers through inclusive labour policies are essential steps. Equally important is ensuring that the digital economy recognises and values diverse forms of knowledge rather than privileging only those aligned with global corporate cultures.

If Bangladesh is to build a technology-driven future that is equitable and inclusive, it must democratise not only access to technology but also access to epistemic power. Simply providing the tools of digital participation is not enough. Individuals must have the cognitive, cultural, and institutional support to use these tools as pathways to empowerment rather than reinforcement of existing hierarchies.

The true challenge of the digital transition is not technological. It is social, cognitive, and ideological. Bangladesh's digital future will depend on whether the country can transform its digital growth model into a foundation for shared prosperity rather than a new architecture of inequality.

Dr Matiur Rahman is a researcher and development professional.​

 

[Saif]

Intriguing case of decline in internet subscription

The digital era, characterised by unprecedented connectivity, has reshaped communication, commerce, education and daily life. As more and more services go online, internet access is no longer a matter of convenience but a basic necessity. In fact, its importance is so widely recognised that the Uni

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Intriguing case of decline in internet subscription

Published :
Dec 07, 2025 22:30
Updated :
Dec 07, 2025 22:33

The digital era, characterised by unprecedented connectivity, has reshaped communication, commerce, education and daily life. As more and more services go online, internet access is no longer a matter of convenience but a basic necessity. In fact, its importance is so widely recognised that the United Nations and several countries now recognise the right to access the internet as a fundamental human right. In Bangladesh too, digitalisation has been a central theme of national branding for well over one and a half decades. Clearly, there is an unreserved national consensus across all political hues on digital transformation. No dissenting voice is heard so far as the concept of digitalisation goes. So, the general expectation is for the optimum utilisation of technology and a steady rise in internet penetration. However, a recent report in The Financial Express, citing data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), presents an intriguing anomaly.

Over the past four months, the country witnessed the number of total internet users fall sharply to 131.49 million in October 2025, down from 135.99 million recorded in July. This represents a striking drop of over 4.5 million users in a remarkably short period. A closer look reveals that mobile internet users account for virtually the entire contraction, dropping from 121.53 million in July to 116.87 million in October, while fixed broadband subscriptions remained steady. This sharp decline in mobile internet subscriptions points to a weakening demand for mobile data services, even though telecom operators continue to expand networks and offer an array of data packages.

Industry analysts attribute the slowdown to a combination of factors including persistent economic pressures reducing consumers' ability to purchase smartphones or maintain regular data usage; rising costs of mobile internet prompted by adjustments in tariff structures; and the rollout of stricter SIM verification rules that have curtailed irregular or duplicate SIM ownership. The reduction in multi-SIM usage - once common among users seeking network-specific benefits - has also contributed to the contraction. In addition, some observers note a gradual behavioural shift, with households increasingly opting for shared broadband connections.

The interim government has undertaken several measures, including reduction of bandwidth prices at two stages of the supply chain, to make internet services more affordable. Following these reforms, the Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for ICT Division argued a few months ago that there was no logical reason or any excuse left for private mobile operators not to lower their internet charges. However, mobile operators are yet to reduce the prices of their data packages and are therefore not passing on the benefits of this crucial government policy to consumers. Instead, they appear to be using the reduced bandwidth costs merely to widen their profit margins. Thus, the high cost of mobile data at a time of severe economic constraints could well be a major reason behind the decline in mobile internet subscriptions. It is also worth noting that roughly 46 per cent of Bangladesh's population still relies on feature or button phones, leaving a large segment deprived of the benefits of various government digital initiatives due to their lack of internet connectivity. Had mobile data been more affordable, many of the feature phone users might have been able to access online services and integrate comprehensively into the country's digital transformation.​

 

[Saif]

Streamlining the ICT project

A select project titled "Digital Service Transformation for Access and Resilience (D-Star) has been returned by the Planning Commission (PC) for revision on account of what the PC considers excessive costs. Submitted to the PC by the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Division for appr

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Streamlining the ICT project

Published :
Dec 09, 2025 01:10
Updated :
Dec 09, 2025 02:41
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A select project titled "Digital Service Transformation for Access and Resilience (D-Star) has been returned by the Planning Commission (PC) for revision on account of what the PC considers excessive costs. Submitted to the PC by the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Division for approval, the project has not been turned down for the first time. In 2023, the development project proposal codenamed TIGER was also rejected and the new prposal is a repurposed version of the first. Notably, a preceding project called "Enhancing Digital Government Economy" approved in 2022 with $295 million in World Bank (WB) support flopped. The WB was prompted to slash its fund to just $120 million because of irregularities and poor implementation.

So, that experience with the earlier proposals is hardly pleasing. The PC cannot be blamed for its 'once bitten twice shy' attitude. However, it is quite gratifying that the WB has agreed to finance the repurposed project with the bulk of the fund. Of the total expenditure of Tk31.72 billion, it is reported to provide the project with Tk31.06 billion. Most likey, the disapproval of the project in 2023 was based on the experience of 2022. The past experiences with the project may have made the PC cautious about the tall claims and rhetoric. Indeed, the new D-STAR proposal has painted a lofty vision that among others proposes to provide reliably high-speed broadband connectivity to 39 million people in the country. It also hopes to expand digital public services in order to enhance annual ICT export capacity to $5.0 billion. This target was set to be achieved, first, by 2022 and then by 2025. So, the country missed the target twice. What guarantee is there for achieving the target now?

Given the bureautratic laid-back attitude and inefficiency, project execution in this country has ever remained slow and poor. Any inflated expenditure smacks of corruption. So, the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) has validly questioned the costs proposed on several heads. The WB may have reconsidered its earlier decision because of the regime change. But even the bureaucracy under the interim government has felt no urgency to mend its way. After all, old habits die hard. Instead of getting tough with the civil servants, this government seems to be pampering them. The PC and ICT experts have also raised a valid question about the assessment of the earlier failures. It must come out with its strategy to re-engage with the venture and spell out how it will overcome those failures. Without a thorough feasibility study, no project can be executed smoothly and in time.

That the rosy picture the proposal paints about the digital connectivity and services is every sane person's dream. But if the proposal and the strategy suggested by the ICT Division fuels the expectation without doing the homework, it exposes the inefficiency and a lack of seriousness on the part of all involved with the fresh initiative. After two such attempts earlier, another debacle will not only harm the cause but also send the nation on the road to regression. Clearly, this is the time for updating nations in the context of the 4th industrial revolution. So the merit of advancement in ICT is a must. The country has progressed much in this field courtesy of private initiatives. But if the infrastructre is inadequate, the tech-savvy youths cannot perform as competitively as they are able to. The project needs to be finalised for smooth implementation as early as possible.​

 

[Saif]

From connectivity to competitiveness

The “Digital Bangladesh” slogan, which emerged in 2009, echoed a collective dream of embracing technology across all aspects of life. The dream had a modest yet revolutionary vision: to “connect people and enable digital inclusion to reach out to all Bangladeshis.” In its fi

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

From connectivity to competitiveness
Digital Bangladesh 2.0 will rest not on machines or codes but on minds

Serajul I. Bhuiyan
Published :
Dec 17, 2025 00:43
Updated :
Dec 17, 2025 00:43

The “Digital Bangladesh” slogan, which emerged in 2009, echoed a collective dream of embracing technology across all aspects of life. The dream had a modest yet revolutionary vision: to “connect people and enable digital inclusion to reach out to all Bangladeshis.” In its first stage, it has achieved this goal phenomenally. “Mobile penetration has crossed over 95 per cent. Broadband has penetrated beyond urban areas. E-services have begun even in government institutions. Digital literacy has begun to spread.” The “click and pay” experience is a reality for a generation that had to spend hours to avail themselves of a utility bill and/or a passport. However, history is not a reward for those who rest on their laurels in the middle of a journey. The world Bangladesh is confronting today is more complex and competitive than it had envisioned when it decided to digitalise itself. The world is undergoing a radical shift driven by AI, blockchain technology, cloud computing and the platform economy. The nation is no longer required to connect its people but to make its people competitive. In other words, it needs to convert a digital connection into a digital advantage. That is Digital Bangladesh 2.0. It is a shift in strategy for a nation to shift from users to producers.

The New Imperatives of the Digital Age: The second stage of the digital journey in Bangladesh is characterised by a different logic and a more ambitious vision. The earlier journey in Bangladesh was primarily about infrastructure and inclusion – enabling people to have internet access at home and the presence of mobile banking and e-government services. The new vision is to infuse digital intelligence in all its layers.

The essence of this shift centers on the imperative of competitiveness. The world is undergoing a change in its economy driven by big data, AI services and cloud computing. As a country that needs to survive in this new economy, Bangladesh needs to transform from a technology consumer to a producer. The youth and innovative spirit of Bangladesh provide a platform for this shift. However, this will depend on investments in human resources and infrastructure.

But it is equally important to speak about platform governance, not just online governance. The old e-government strategy focused on digitising paperwork. The new digital governance vision imagines a state that is a network of platform-based information systems. In this vision, technology is a deep-enabling factor rather than a surface-level one.

The second fundamental imperative is financial transformation. Although Bangladesh’s success in m-money services like bKash and Nagad has won many accolades, it is essential to build on this strength and develop a more integrated digital finance ecosystem with interoperable payments, an instant payment system and more.

Education and human capital system must undergo a shift as well. While a digitally networked society is important, a digitally skilled society is essential. The education system at all levels needs to transform itself so that it imparts not only literacy but also coding fluency, data analysis fluency, AI fluency and design thinking fluency. Otherwise, infrastructure development will not ensure competitiveness.

Fourth and last, cybersecurity and data governance will have to establish public trust. As more and more critical information is placed online, citizens will not accept digital systems until they can trust that all information is secure. The establishment of that trust is not a tangential detail in this project. Instead, it is fundamentally central to all that follows.

Governance Re-Imagined: The government of Bangladesh has already prepared a comprehensive National Digital Transformation Strategy (2025-2030) draft to digitally transform more than 800 government services and develop a unified architecture for data and governance. The strategy is to create a common platform in Bangladesh, known as the Bangladesh National Digital Architecture (BNDA) and the National Data Exchange (NDX), to connect isolated databases and ensure seamless service delivery. This strategy will deliver efficient, transparent governance.

The role of AI will be pivotal to this new system of governance. Just think of feedback mechanisms where AI can quickly analyse citizen complaints. Or predictive systems that can foretell where corruption is likely to occur. Or an AI-based analysis that can help inform policymaking, not just based on bureaucratic intuition. AI can sharply improve administrative response and cause little human resistance.

Similarly revolutionary is its application in transparency. The blockchain can ensure that land registries are secure, that supply chains and expenditures are legitimate and that medical information is recorded with absolute immutability. Making transactions transparent increases transparency and reduces corruption. There have already been some pilots testing blockchain in healthcare and logistics.

There is also a cloud-native government infrastructure emerging as a key enabler. With cloud computing, governments can share digital resources and benefit from cost reduction and enhanced security. However, a cloud computing strategy needs to apply robust principles of information governance to avert abuse and breaches.

But innovations are challenged. Institutional resistance, silos within government offices and scattered databases remain significant hurdles. The absence of coordination and a culture of accountability can make technology a mere cover for an inefficient system. To effect meaningful change, the system of governance has to transform from a hierarchical structure to a digital, collaborative framework where information can move easily between agencies and decisions are made based on intelligence, not ignorance.

If it is done correctly, the payoff is enormous: faster, more affordable services for all citizens, transparent procurement procedures, more targeted and efficient subsidy distribution, evidence-based policymaking, and, eventually, rebuilding trust in government. Technology-based re-imagining of governance can redefine citizenship and transform the state from a hindrance to an enabler.

Digital Finance and Fintech: One area that is more indicative of Bangladesh’s success in its digital journey than others is its finance industry. It has not even been a decade since mobile banking services have transferred financial power to millions of people who never had to step into a banking hall. The mobile has thus turned into a purse.

However, the next level is not about growing more users but is all about creating a comprehensive ecosystem for digital finance. The Bangladesh Bank Interoperable Instant Payment System (IIPS) between banks, fintech companies, and mobile wallets is a critical step in this regard. Cross-provider real-time transfer services can boost trade and micro-enterprises and decrease reliance on cash.

The fintech revolution needs to shift its focus to more advanced services, such as credit scoring and micro-lending, beyond basic transaction services. Banks and financial institutions can develop customised financial services for small businesses and lower-income individuals through AI and open APIs.

The area where blockchain technology has shown promise is financial integrity. The development of ‘smart’ contracts will enable greater efficiency in trade finance and reduce fraud in public procurement. The role of distributed ledgers will strengthen security and transparency in banking while facilitating worldwide fintech collaborations.

However, with opportunity comes risk. The rising dangers include cyber-fraud, identity crimes, algorithmic bias and money laundering. Regulation needs to keep abreast of technological advancements, not stifle them, but provide a resilient ecosystem for digital KYC norms, data regulations, and fintech testing zones.

If Bangladesh can implement these factors effectively, digital finance can become a strength for its economy. Together, it can improve productivity, provide more credits to SMEs, create more employment opportunities in fintech services, and enable Bangladesh to emerge as a meaningful player in digital finance export services within its own region. Finance will not only connect people but will empower them.

Human Capital for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: No transformation can outpace the people who must carry it forward. The foundation of Digital Bangladesh 2.0 will rest not on machines or codes but on minds. Education, therefore, must be re-engineered to produce digital citizens rather than analog graduates.

In its simplest form, digital literacy is still a key consideration. In this regard, digital equity still needs to address rural communities and women. There is a need to invest in rural broadband infrastructure and provide digital centers in rural areas. Moreover, digital literacy skills are required in school curricula. But beyond literacy is a need for more advanced digital skillscoding, big data analysis, network security, systems design and algorithmic thinking. There is a need for institutions of higher learning to develop new disciplines in fields like AI development and big data science. Vocational institutions can provide courses for those who want to pursue digital skills as a trade.

The pandemic has revealed how well and how quickly technology can improve teaching and learning. There is no need for this to end. Online learning sessions and certifications in virtual classrooms can provide a level playing field for those in distant and less-privileged regions. Even blockchain-based certifications like “ShikkhaChain” can enhance transparency in academic credentials.

Equally important is linking education to employment. Skills must translate into livelihoods. Partnerships among universities, industries, and government can ensure that curricula reflect real-world demands. Internship pipelines, innovation hubs, and startup accelerators can help graduates become job creators rather than job seekers.

Inclusivity is a moral and economic imperative. If society leaves half of its population (women) behind in the digital race, its productivity will remain halfway. Gender-sensitive policies and scholarships for women in science and technology, along with a secure online environment, are a mandate for balanced growth.

In the end, a competitiveness education has to balance technological capability with ethical sensibility, creativity and flexibility that will differentiate human intelligence from artificial intelligence in the coming decades.

Cybersecurity, Data Governance and The Architecture of Trust: The more digital transformation advances, the greater the risk escalates. The same technology that brings people together and enables possibilities can simultaneously expose and imperil. Cybersecurity is not peripheral to Digital Bangladesh 2.0 but its bedrock.

The government’s strategy aims to train tens of thousands of cybersecurity professionals by 2030, recognising that a skilled defense workforce is the first line of defense against cybercrime. Yet beyond the workforce, the nation needs a comprehensive cyber-resilience framework that includes regular audits, crisis-response mechanisms and real-time threat intelligence.

Equally critical is data governance. As more public and private services depend on digital data, the questions of ownership, consent, and accountability become central. Bangladesh’s proposed Personal Data Protection Act must enshrine citizens’ rights to privacy and clearly define obligations for both the government and businesses. An independent Data and AI Authority, as envisioned in policy drafts, could oversee the ethical use of emerging technologies and ensure compliance with global standards.

Cloud computing introduces another layer of complexity. While it enables scalability and cost efficiency, it also concentrates on data risks. Cloud policy should therefore include data-residency requirements, encryption mandates and standards for vendor accountability.

However, one of the most intangible and essential aspects of cybersecurity is trust. The citizenry will only adopt digital technology if they can trust that their information will not be exploited and that, when abuse occurs, they will have recourse. The development of trust will require transparency within government and continuous civic education campaigns on digital rights and duties.

In the absence of this protective mechanism, even the most sophisticated digital technology is bound to fail. With this in place, Bangladesh can assure that security and innovations are not enemies but partners in development.

From Connectivity to Competitiveness: To ensure that Bangladesh can transform its connectiveness into competitiveness, a unified national vision is required that combines technology and human resources. The first instrument is institutional integration in Bangladesh through the National Digital Architecture and the National Data Exchange. Once this is in place in its totality, government departments and concerned bodies can communicate in a streamlined fashion.

The second lever is regulatory modernisation. Outdated laws cannot govern new technologies. The government must accelerate the passage of data protection, AI ethics, and cybersecurity legislation. It should also establish agile regulatory sandboxes that allow fintech and blockchain innovators to experiment safely under supervision.

The third lever is human-capital upgrading. Schools and universities should embed digital skills into their core curriculum, while industry-academia partnerships should translate these skills into employment. Incentives for research and innovation must reward problem-solving rather than rote learning.

Fourth, a growth opportunity is required in the fintech and digital finance ecosystem. Areas that can achieve enhanced efficiency through technological innovation include real-time payments, blockchain-based trade finance and AI-driven microcredit. The country can earn much-needed foreign currency through exporting this tech.

The fifth lever concerns sector-driven innovations. The agricultural sector can benefit from AI-driven irrigation and yield predictive analysis; the education sector can adopt AI-based tutoring and blockchain-based certification; and health services can opt for telemedicine and cloud-based health storage. The manufacturing sector can benefit from automation in the RMG industry.

In conclusion, a trust framework in cyberspace is imperative and will ensure that a strategy is successful in its endeavors. Moreover, trust in cyberspace will be considered a currency in a new economy and will guide those possessed of it.

The Opportunities Before Us: However, if the blueprint for Digital Bangladesh 2.0 is appropriately implemented, the possibilities are endless. The country can skip through many levels of its industrial development and position itself in worldwide value chains as a digital innovation hub. The government can increase its value of tech exports from a few hundred million dollars to a few billion dollars through software development, fintech services, and AI-enabled services.

Small and medium enterprises the backbone of economies will have access to lower borrowing costs and electronic commerce services that will help them compete in a global market. There will be transparent, efficient governance that reduces corruption and instills trust in institutions.

The area where a profound shift will occur is in employment. Youth with digital power will have opportunities for freelance work worldwide and will make valuable contributions to global ventures through collaborative project development. Digital inclusion will thus transform rural Bangladesh into ventures and initiatives that bridge the productivity gap between rural and urban areas through digital opportunities such as e-learning and rural healthcare.

In sum, Digital Bangladesh 2.0 promises not only economic dividends but a social renaissance a nation more confident, transparent and equitable.

Risks and Realities: Every revolution carries its countercurrents. The shift to a competitive digital economy will test Bangladesh’s institutions and resilience. Bureaucratic silos, slow procurement, and overlapping jurisdictions could stall reform. Without interoperability and coordination, digital systems may remain fragmented and inefficient.

The digital divide remains a stubborn obstacle. Unless rural connectivity, affordability and literacy are addressed, millions could remain excluded from the benefits of digitisation. The divide is not only geographic but also gendered. Women remain under-represented in STEM education and ICT employment, and unless that changes, the promise of inclusivity will ring hollow.

The skills gap is a cause for concern. To raise a generation of AI engineers and/or cybersecurity specialists takes many years. If there are not enough opportunities in their own country, this will constitute a new wave of brain drain for Bangladesh.

Cybersecurity failures may also affect this. A major hacking incident could reduce people’s willingness to embrace ICTs. Furthermore, delays in regulatory implementation might expose this country to exploitation by large ICT players and/or unconventional digital finance.

Finally, technology without ethics is dangerous. Automation may displace workers, algorithms may reinforce bias and data exploitation may undermine privacy. The pursuit of competitiveness must therefore remain anchored in human values and social responsibility.

A Vision for 2030: Imagine Bangladesh in 2030, fully realised as Digital Bangladesh 2.0. Citizens access every government service through a unified portal powered by secure digital identity. Payments across all sectors occur instantly through interoperable platforms. Students in rural villages attend world-class lectures online, their certificates verified on blockchain. Farmers use drones and sensors to manage crops, while AI models predict market prices. Hospitals maintain cloud-based patient records accessible anywhere, reducing medical errors and saving lives.

In this vision for the future, youth power a thriving technology export sector that spans AI offshoring, cloud development and fintech services, generating billions in foreign exchange earnings. Women hold top positions in science and technology as well as digital entrepreneurial ventures. Startups in Dhaka and Chattogram pair up with those in Singapore, Nairobi and Dubai. Entrepreneurs in rural areas sell goods to the global market via online shopping sites.

Cybersecurity is robust, governance is transparent and people feel secure in trusting that their information is protected. The economy is resilient and innovative. The country is no longer a passive observer of global digital trends but a participant and even a contributor.

A Shared Responsibility: To implement this vision, all stakeholders must share it. The policymakers have to translate a vision into action. Completing the National Digital Architecture, complying with data protection legislation and working with ethical AI are among the pressing issues. Policymakers must ensure that all digital policies are inclusive and that all districts have transparent infrastructure and development.

Industry must match policy ambition with private-sector innovation. Companies should invest in upskilling their employees, adopt secure, interoperable technologies and collaborate with startups to co-create solutions. Cybersecurity and data protection should be treated as investments in trust, not costs of compliance.

The academic sector needs to read its human capital for this shift. The academia needs to transform school curricula, develop micro-credentials in new domains and collaborate with industry partners on applied project work. Research needs to address practical problems, such as AI in the agricultural sector and blockchain in trade. The success of each industry is contingent on the others. With vision in policymaking, execution in industry and talent in academia, a country shifts from adaptation to innovation.

The Promise and the Pivot: The story of Digital Bangladesh 1.0 was one of access, with millions brought online, services digitised and governance modernised. The story of Digital Bangladesh 2.0 must be one of advantage, where digital capacity translates into productivity, innovation and global competitiveness.

The foundation has been laid: a young, ambitious population; infrastructure development in place; development of the startup ecosystem underway; and a roadmap in place. However, ambition without coordination is unstable, and connectivity without trust is meaningless. The key is to blend technology and integrity, innovation and inclusion.

If Bangladesh can achieve this synthesis, it will not only enter the digital age but will define it. The digitally empowered Bangladesh will serve as a guiding star for other developing nations. The Bangladesh success will illustrate that a developing economy can easily transform into a vibrant knowledge society through vision and value-driven technology.

The writer is a professor of Journalism and Mass Communications at Savannah State University in Georgia, USA.​