Improving internet service

We now cannot spend a single day without internet. But, the speed of internet is extremely poor in Bangladesh. According to Ookla's latest Speedtest Global Index, the country has ranked to be the fifth worst country in terms of mobile internet speed. Bangladesh reportedly came in the 135th position among 139 countries in mobile internet speed with all its South Asian neighbours, excluding Afghanistan.

Mobile phone users in Bangladesh receive internet speed of 10.64Mbps whereas users in Qatar, which has topped the index, receive internet speed of up to 178.01Mbps. However, the cost of internet is not cheap in the country. Mobile phone operators and other internet service providers have been making huge profits with their various internet packages. There are many hidden conditions also.

Such a sorry state of internet services is disheartening us all at a time when we depend on the internet and when Bangladesh is supposed to be a Digital Bangladesh. The authorities concerned should, therefore, attend to the issue of poor internet service and take effective measures in this context. We should not forget that high-speed internet is a basic requirement for receiving the full potential of digital technologies.

Badsha Faysal,

Jurain, Dhaka,

badshafaysal1998@gmail.com