The award is presented by ASOCIO in recognition of introducing a non-discriminatory ‘one country one rate’ tariff in Bangladesh
News Desk : dhakamirror.com
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (BTRC) steps to ensure affordable broadband internet got global recognition as its internet at a flat rate initiative, ‘One Country, One Rate,’ won the ASOCIO-2022 award in the category of ‘Environmental, Social, and Governance.’
BTRC Director General of Systems and Services Brigadier General Md Nasim Parvez received the award at the ASOCIO World Summit 2022 in Singapore on Friday.
“Providing affordable internet nationwide is a complex task. Bangladesh has skillfully achieved ‘One Country One Rate’ for broadband internet through deep consultation and advanced technology “According to the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation, a group of ICT industry associations representing the region.
“With clear prediction and foresight, the Bangladesh government lowered internet prices.”
The telecom regulator set the maximum broadband internet tariff in June last year. A 5 Mbps broadband connection costs Tk 500 a month. 10 Mbps costs Tk 800 to Tk 1,000, and 20 Mbps costs Tk 1,100 to 1,200.
“The flat affordable rate eliminated the digital divide between urban and rural, rich and poor. We’re glad related stakeholders welcomed our efforts and made it successful ” said Parvez who helmed the ‘One Country, One Rate’ initiative.
He hoped affordable internet prices would help deliver citizen services easily and establish e-governance.