South Asians talk telecoms problems, prospects

["Miraj Khaled" <khaled@bttb.net.bd>]

South Asians talk telecoms problems, prospects
BSS, New Delhi

Delegates from South Asian countries here on Thursday discussed the problems
and prospects of their telecommunications development at a US
government-sponsored communication infrastructure conference for the region.

The participating countries exchanged experiences of 'similar' handicaps
that tend to impede rapid progress.

Participating US officials told the new agency that the conference had
achieved its objectives by providing the participating countries with the
opportunity 'to talk and exchange notes on their experiences'.

Douglas M Shuster of South Asia desk in the US Trade and Development, said
one of the objectives of the conference was for the American companies to
push appropriate and low-cost technology.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka took part in
the conference.

The conference also provided an opportunity, said the US officials, for the
companies in both the US and the region to look for possible partners.

Secretary of Bangladesh Post and Telecommunications Ministry Faruque Ahmad
Siddiqui, who led Bangladesh delegation, in his presentation said Bangladesh
achieved 'tremendous' development in telecommunications in the past two
years.

He said the number of cell phone subscribers in Bangladesh rose to 23 lakh
from about five lakh in two years while landline phones increased to nine
lakh from 5.5 lakh.

With the transformation of the existing telephone department into a 100
percent public sector company the number of landline phone connections will
simply jump, he said.

He said fixed line phones connections will jump to 20 lakh in the next three
years while cell phone services will be available to 50 lakh subscribers by
that time.

He said rapid telecoms development is taking place in Bangladesh since the
establishment of regulatory body in 2002, facilitating more investment in
telecoms sector including in the fixed line system.

Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board [BTTB] Chairman Nurul Islam,
Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission ([BTRC] Commissioner
Rezaul Huq and GrameenPhone Director Khaled Mahmood were in the delegation.

Indian Telecommunications Ministry Secretary Nipendra Mishra and
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman Pradeep
Baijal explained the remarkable development that India attained in recent
years in the sector.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/04/24/d40424050450.htm [ The Daily
Star, Dhaka, 24 April 2004 ]