The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The GSMA, the global body for the mobile industry, has called on Bangladesh to issue 3G licenses as soon as possible to make broadband services available to many more of its people.

Licensing the 2100MHz spectrum band for 3G services would enable Bangladeshi operators to launch Mobile Broadband (HSPA) services, which their customers can use to gain fast and easy access to the internet and other online services, says a GSMA press release.

“Bangladesh, which has very few fixed-line connections, could realize major social and economic benefits from the widespread availability of Mobile Broadband services,” said Ricardo Tavares, senior vice president for Public Policy of the GSMA.

“One of the world’s fastest-growing cellular markets, Bangladesh has huge pent-up demand for communication and information services that can improve people’s lives and make businesses more productive.”

Many developing countries, including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Kenya and South Africa, have already deployed Mobile Broadband services enabling their people to get easy access to information on health, education, job opportunities, agriculture and many other important aspects of their lives.

Moreover, the cost of HSPA devices is falling steadily as manufacturers gain economies of scale. There are now 200 commercial HSPA networks worldwide serving more than 60 million subscribers, according to Wireless intelligence.

“Laying new fixed line connections is expensive and inefficient so high-speed mobile networks are Bangladesh’s best bet to realize the many social and economic benefits that arise from widespread access to broadband services,” Tavares added.

Wireless intelligence expects the number of mobile users in Bangladesh to grow to 70 million by 2011 from 47 million at end of September 2008. During the third quarter of 2008, the number of mobile subscribers rose by 48 percent year-on-year.