Staff Reporter :
The much-talked free mobile internet was launched in the capital for the first time in Bangladesh, with a view to reducing digital-divide through bringing unconnected people in the information superhighway on Sunday.
Facebook-led internet.org, a global non-profit platform, in association with Robi Axiata Ltd, a leading mobile-phone operator, and ICT Ministry launched the free data services in the country.
Initially, only the Robi’s subscribers are getting the facilities as the operator already joined the initiative.
ICT junior minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak formally launched the service at a city hotel as chief guest while ICT secretary Shyam Sunder Sikder, director of global operator partnerships Facebook Markku Makelainen, Robi’s CEO Supun Weerasinghe, and the company’s COO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, among others, were attended the inaugural ceremony.
Presently, internet.org is allowing access to around 25 basic internet websites for free including government information, job postings, e-commerce, educational information, women’s health, emergency contacts, weather updates and news.
Palak said internet connection has become the 6th basic right for the citizens after food and education across the world. He said that government is working to connect Upazila level by June this year with the fiber optical network.
Regarding the free mobile internet, the minister said although initially only the Robi subscribers will get the browsing facilities, but other operators are also will join the platform soon.
Speaking the function, ICT Secretary Sikder said along with the internet connection, now cyber security issue has also become a major threat for the nation.
“We should seriously think about the data protection measures”, the senior secretary told the function. He also mentioned the government measures including formulating a cyber security council to coordinate among the stakeholders to provide information protection.
Makelainen said Bangladesh is the 10th nation who has got the free internet opportunity.
In reply to a question, the senior official of the internet.org said, they are very cautious ensuring privacy of the users’ information. He said they won’t share single piece of information, even with the government. “We will maintain the privacy of the users as the standard Facebook maintains,” the official noted.
Robi’s COO Mr Ahmed said it will certainly help in promoting the use of internet in our society, which is a pre-requisite in realising the government vision.
He, however, said that only ensuring internet connection isn’t enough to avail the digital benefits, rather necessary internet contents must be developed.
Regarding the services policy, the COO said Robi customer visits website outside of the free services, or chooses to access video content, they will receive a notice indicating that standard data charges apply.
Customers can choose a data pack while using Internet.org. However, if one doesn’t have a data pack and doesn’t wish to buy one but still wants to access video content then charges will apply on pay per use basis for the subscriber, the official added.
The much-talked free mobile internet was launched in the capital for the first time in Bangladesh, with a view to reducing digital-divide through bringing unconnected people in the information superhighway on Sunday.
Facebook-led internet.org, a global non-profit platform, in association with Robi Axiata Ltd, a leading mobile-phone operator, and ICT Ministry launched the free data services in the country.
Initially, only the Robi’s subscribers are getting the facilities as the operator already joined the initiative.
ICT junior minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak formally launched the service at a city hotel as chief guest while ICT secretary Shyam Sunder Sikder, director of global operator partnerships Facebook Markku Makelainen, Robi’s CEO Supun Weerasinghe, and the company’s COO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, among others, were attended the inaugural ceremony.
Presently, internet.org is allowing access to around 25 basic internet websites for free including government information, job postings, e-commerce, educational information, women’s health, emergency contacts, weather updates and news.
Palak said internet connection has become the 6th basic right for the citizens after food and education across the world. He said that government is working to connect Upazila level by June this year with the fiber optical network.
Regarding the free mobile internet, the minister said although initially only the Robi subscribers will get the browsing facilities, but other operators are also will join the platform soon.
Speaking the function, ICT Secretary Sikder said along with the internet connection, now cyber security issue has also become a major threat for the nation.
“We should seriously think about the data protection measures”, the senior secretary told the function. He also mentioned the government measures including formulating a cyber security council to coordinate among the stakeholders to provide information protection.
Makelainen said Bangladesh is the 10th nation who has got the free internet opportunity.
In reply to a question, the senior official of the internet.org said, they are very cautious ensuring privacy of the users’ information. He said they won’t share single piece of information, even with the government. “We will maintain the privacy of the users as the standard Facebook maintains,” the official noted.
Robi’s COO Mr Ahmed said it will certainly help in promoting the use of internet in our society, which is a pre-requisite in realising the government vision.
He, however, said that only ensuring internet connection isn’t enough to avail the digital benefits, rather necessary internet contents must be developed.
Regarding the services policy, the COO said Robi customer visits website outside of the free services, or chooses to access video content, they will receive a notice indicating that standard data charges apply.
Customers can choose a data pack while using Internet.org. However, if one doesn’t have a data pack and doesn’t wish to buy one but still wants to access video content then charges will apply on pay per use basis for the subscriber, the official added.
