The government is planning to launch artificial intelligence (AI) and freelancing training centres in every upazila of the country in order to build a digitally skilled workforce, official sources said.
Officials pledged reforms in the telecom sector aimed at attracting investment, expanding connectivity and accelerating the country's digital economy ambitions.
Post, Telecommunications, Information Technology and Science Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam made this disclosure at a seminar in the capital on Saturday, promising greater transparency and accountability in the telecom sector and urging journalists to produce data-driven reporting.
He said the government is prioritising 5G rollout, AI adoption and nationwide fibre and satellite connectivity expansion, alongside plans to develop upazila-level training centres for AI and freelancing skills. He said state-owned Teletalk Bangladesh could become more competitive than private operators with Tk 500-600 crore in investment, to be mobilised through G2G or PPP models rather than privatisation.
Prime Minister's Adviser Rehan Asif Asad said a policy roadmap is being prepared to transform Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy and position it among the world's top 20 telecom markets by 2035, with the plan to raise the sector's GDP contribution from 8 to 15 per cent.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Major General (retd.) Emdad Ul Bari said a new licensing framework aims to prevent monopolies and improve competition, while signalling openness to revising spectrum pricing policies.
Industry leaders from Robi and Banglalink, along with other stakeholders, called for predictable revenue frameworks, modern spectrum policies, infrastructure sharing, and stronger cybersecurity regulations. They also urged fair contributions from global digital platforms and investment-friendly, non-discriminatory long-term telecom policies to support sustained economic growth.
The seminar titled "Telecom Future: New Government's Vision" was organised by Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB) at a hotel.
Speaking as a special guest, Prime Minister's Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad said that a policy roadmap is being prepared to transform Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy and place the country among the world's top 20 telecom nations by 2035.
He said the upcoming budget may not resolve all existing challenges, but the government plans to deliver major customer-focused initiatives. Authorities are also working to attract foreign investment and formulate a five-year policy framework on VAT, taxes and equipment imports for local and foreign entrepreneurs, he added.
Regarding affordable smart phones, he said the government is trying to bring devices priced between Tk 5,000 and Tk 6,000 to the market, considering global manufacturing equipment costs of around $60. Discussions are also ongoing with Bangladesh Bank on installment facilities.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Major General (retd.) Emdad Ul Bari said the new licensing system will prevent monopolies in the sector, adding, the BTRC is working on a "National Connectivity Master Plan".
In his keynote paper, Robi's Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Barrister Sahed Alam identified five priorities for the sector: predictable long-term revenue structures, modern spectrum policies, faster approvals through a single-window system and infrastructure sharing, coordinated telecom-broadband-data center policies, and stronger cybersecurity and data governance. Banglalink's Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Taimur Rahman highlighted emerging opportunities and challenges involving spectrum pricing, optical fiber network development and infrastructure sharing.
AMTOB Secretary General Lt Col (retd.) Mohammad Zulfikar, Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Nurul Kabir, former Bangladesh Competition Commission director Khaled Abu Naser, BUET professor Dr Lutfa Akter and Teletalk Managing Director Nurul Mabud Chowdhury spoke at the seminar.
