Bright prospect to tap

Continued from page 9 "People can subscribe to a service with minimum possible start-up cost and pay for the software whey they use," said the Ericsson Bangladesh boss, who joined office in August last year. "The service, PCS, now we are talking about in Bangladesh is a reality in many countries. In India, Ericsson is collaborating with service providers," Nielson added. "People will pay for the products they use. Through this, the cheapest mean of communications will be widely affordable for the people. It will connect all schools, hospitals and offices in the country." He said the longer Bangladesh would take to join the 3G technology regime, the more difficulty will be for the government to achieve its Digital Bangladesh vision. "The regulator should move fast in introducing the technology." The Danish telecom official also urged the telecom regulator to create win-win environment for both the telecom operators and customers and dispel any confusion that envelopes the industry. He was referring to the 2G renewal fee and spectrum charges Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has fixed. Four telecom operators, Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi and Citycell whose 2G licence expires this November. Nielsen said Bangladesh emerged as the advanced nation when it awarded free spectrum to telecom operators 15 years ago, paving the way to create one of the most successful stories of global telecom industry. "That was a very smart move. Thanks to that timely and witty decision, the country can now boast of having 70 million mobile subscribers. Their number is also increasing very fast. Now the rickshaw-pullers have phones." "But we cannot forget that even if the mobile operators got free spectrum 15 years back, they have paid huge taxes to the government coffer." "So, the regulator should find a win-win situation for the sake of the industry." He said Bangladesh has been already late to be connected with the 3G world. "India is fantastically connected with the outside world. Why will Bangladesh then remain isolated?" "The 3G can give Bangladeshis a new experience." Estimates suggest 10 percent growth in broadband connection adds 1 percent to gross domestic product of a country, while every 10,000 broadband users can create 80 new jobs. "The impacts will however depend on market adaptability to new technology," said Neilsen, who has been in Bangladesh for the last seven months. With more than 70 million active mobile subscribers, Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. And Neilsen said these customers are ready to join to next stage of mobile technology. Six mobile operators cover more than 90 percent of the geographic territory and 99 percent of population in the country. Last year, the sector made up over 60 percent of the total foreign direct investments flown into Bangladesh. The sector has created jobs for 1.5 million people, directly and indirectly, according to government estimates. Nielsen said Ericsson, the world's fifth largest software producer, is also carrying out a study to know about the behavior of the users in Bangladesh.