Bangladesh has rolled out the fifth-generation (5G) of mobile internet connectivity, though the use of 4G services is still below the benchmark level. State-run mobile phone operator Teletalk is the first to launch the super-speed technology, while the private operators are expected to jump on the bandwagon next year after the auction of spectrum in March. The 5G technology promises to provide data speeds at least 20 times faster than 4G and underpins the great advances of the next era, from self-driving cars and augmented reality to smart cities and artificial intelligence. The reach of mobile networks has expanded with 95 per cent of the population covered by 4G mobile broadband networks. Still, only 28 per cent of the mobile phones are connected to 4G, while 25 per cent use 3G and the rest 47 per cent 2G.
The technology is expected to bring higher-quality streaming and the ability to live-stream to bigger audiences. Teletalk will introduce the updated service on an experimental basis in six areas: the Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, Secretariat, Bangabandhu Museum at Dhanmondi 32, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birthplace Tungipara in Gopalganj, and the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar. The operator’s 65 lakh mobile phone subscribers will have to wait for more days as it is yet to get the clearance for its Tk 235 crore project to set up equipment at 200 points. The launch comes at a time when Bangladesh is yet to benefit from its 3G and 4G technology deployments.
Bangladesh has 12.92 crore internet subscribers as of October. Of them, 11.91 crore access the internet through mobile phones and the rest through internet service providers. Experts said the introduction of the 5G service is primarily a political decision, not based on the market demand. Teletalk is still a defaulter in terms of payment for the spectrum. So, it is utterly unethical to glorify the operator using taxpayers’ money for such a politicised farce of technology. In the backdrop of poor 4G service, talking about 5G is nothing but a stunt. The market desperately needs a conducive policy pertaining to infrastructure sharing for modest-quality of 4G services.
