Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– The government is planning to cut further the monthly rental bandwidth price for leased internet access through submarine cable by BDT 3,000 to spread the ICT based services at the grassroots, officials said.
“This is the fourth time the government is going to reduce the bandwidth price,” a senior official of the posts and telecommunications ministry said, adding that they are considering reducing the bandwidth price soon.
He also said the ministry is working to bring the internet access at the people’s doorstep to make the “Digital Bangladesh” campaign successful.
Earlier, the present government had slashed the bandwidth price for third time in August 2012 and brought down it at BDT 8,000 from BDT 10,000 to spread uses of information and communication technology under its Digital Bangladesh vision.
Industry people said that mobile penetration in the country shot up because of its low-cost nature, and also the call charge is much lower. So, the same can be true for internet penetration.
They demanded withdrawal of 15 percent VAT, as maintenance cost and other charges are very high compared to the bandwidth price.
Officials said there are around 31.50 million internet users in the country, which would be increased cumulatively, keeping pace with the boom of mobile users.
BBN/SSR/AD-11Feb13-10:40 am (BST)
