Policy support crucial for nationwide connectivity
Broadband connectivity at the union level in Bangladesh remains inadequate, with around 40 percent of the country still outside reliable coverage, according to the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB).
ISPAB President Mohammad Aminul Hakim made the remarks while responding to different question of journalists at a press conference marking the three-day-long Broadband Expo 2026 in the city.
He stressed that stronger government policy support is essential to ensure full broadband coverage across the country.
Although broadband services have expanded in divisional cities and urban areas, rural connectivity remains a major challenge.
Aminul Hakim pointed out that despite significant investments over the past decade and a half, progress in digital development indicators has not met expectations.
He claimed that despite huge expenditure on infrastructure development, the country still lags behind in digital services, reducing corruption through technology, human resource development, skill enhancement, and exporting ICT services.
According to data, the Bangladesh Computer Council implemented three projects between 2010 and December 2023, spending Tk 37.56 billion to expand high-speed internet at the union level. As well as, the ICT Division undertook the “Establishment of Digital Connectivity (EDC)” project with an allocation of Tk 59.23 billion to extend broadband services to union and village area.
Despite many initiatives, the stakeholders claimed that gaps in implementation and policy limitations continuing to make stag and hinder progress.
ISPAB leaders urged the government to adopt more effective and inclusive policies to ensure broadband access for all citizens, particularly in underserved rural areas.
Among others, Secretary General Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan, Vice President Neyamul Haque Khan, Joint Secretaries Mahbub Alam Raju and Fuad Mohammad Sharafuddin, Treasurer Moin Uddin Ahmed, Directors Rashedur Rahman Rajon, Md. Mithu Hawlader, Sabbir Ahmed, Raisul Islam Tuhin, Md. Jubayer Islam and S.M. Saiful Islam Selim, along with representatives from the event sponsors were present in the function.
