The government has taken a project at a cost of Tk 19.01 billion to introduce 3G technology and extending 2.5G networks to provide modern and upgraded facilities to the Teletalk users.
By installing the 3G technology, mobile users will enjoy real time video Calling, live mobile TV, high speed download, HD gaming, e-education, public health services, tele-medicine and e-shopping through their mobile phones.
Posts and Telecommunications ministry will implement the project by December, 2012.
The executive committee of national economic council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved developing 3G Technology and 2.5G Network Extension Project along with three other development projects involving a total cost of Tk 26.45 billion.
ECNEC chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting at NEC conference room in the city’s Sher-e-Banglanagar.
Of the total projects cost, the government will provide Tk 11.68 billion from the national exchequer while Tk 14.77 billion will come from project assistance, said Planning Minister AK Khandkar after the meeting.
For the introducing of 3G technology and 2.5G network expansion project, the government is taking Tk 14.77 billion from China as loan and Teletalk will provide rest of TK 4.24 billion from its own fund.
During the Bangladesh-China 12th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Beijing, the China government decided to extend its hand for Bangladesh telecom sector. Later, China Exim Bank assured the government for providing the fund after conducting feasibility study.
The EXIM bank of China will take two percent interest for the loan annually while the management charge and commitment charge will be 0.2 percent respectively. The loan will be repaid by 24 year along with 4 years grace period.
Under the agreement, 50 percent equipments, technologies and services will have to procure from china.
The main objectives of the project is make the telecom sector profitable and fit for competition, increase facility for 5.5 million GSM user, providing high speed data transmission, install network in remote area in upazila level as well as strengthening Teletalk.
After completion of the project, Teletalk would provide 3G services to 1.5 million users and better quality services to 5.5 million GSM users.
Currently, Teletalk provides e-result, e-admission, e-health and public awareness for its users. Teletalk started its operation in 2004 and it has a total 1.2 million users.
At present, five mobile operators are using GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) technology and Citycell is using CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology to run their operation in the country.
The other project approved by the ECNEC are establishment of Faridpur medical college and hospital (TK 3.15 billion), Gopalganj (Borashi)-Boroni-Singipara (Tungipara) road development project (Tk 410 million), and 16 road communication development project of Gopalganj district (Tk 3.88 billion).
News Source: The Daily Sun