The state-owned telephony firm will develop a broadband wireless access network across the country soon with Korean help to provide uninterrupted upgraded services to its clients, officials said.
They said the Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) in cooperation with Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) will establish the modern network.
"We've already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korean development agency in this connection," a BTCL senior official said, preferring anonymity.
One of the major objectives of the initiative is to increase its subscribers' base through attracting users with the modern telecom facilities that also will help in growing confidence among the existing customers.
The project, styled Installation of Wireless Broadband Network for Digital Bangladesh, will cost nearly Tk7.49 billion. It is expected to be completed by June 2017.
The official said they have also applied to the telecom regulator for allocating a licence. "It is under process and the BTRC is inquiring about the matter," the official said, adding that they are hopeful of getting approval soon.
Once the network is developed, the customers will get next-generation network (NGN) services and optical-fibre transmission facilities.
The existing old-age cable has become outdated and vulnerable, and cutting-edge telephony services like internet facilities cannot be provided with it. This drawback frustrates the subscribers, discouraging others.
According to the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC), until July 2014, active PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) subscribers under the BTCL declined to 0.85 million from 0.87 million in April.
The official said currently, because of different reasons, including age-old weak cabling, the PSTN subscribers frequently experience disruption of their telephone connections.
Added to this, the costly fibre also has been subjected to stealing by dishonest people in many areas, resulting in the disturbance and additional spending of the government funds for repairs.
They said through the network BTCL will also provide some other value-added services like internet and television connection for the clients. However, users might have to separately pay for it.
"To survive on the competitive telecom market, we must adopt the modern technologies along with the improved services," one official said, adding that all of the existing telephone sets are needed to be replaced immediately.
Initially, the project will work in the capital and remote areas like Chittagong Hill Tracts, where ensuring the cable-based services is very difficult and expensive.
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