Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Report No.R001
Slow pace of
ICT
In Bangladesh
NOVEMBER 10, 2015
world???
A Report
On
Slow pace
ICT
Bangladesh
(Complications & solutions)
Prepared for
Nishat Sultana
Assistant Professor,
Department of Humanities
BUET
Tofail Hossain
Lecturer
Department of Humanities
BUET
Prepared By
Group-03, CSE-B2
Roll (1405109-1405115)
MD.Moinul Hossain
Shoumita Ghosh
Ananna Rahman
Akib Jawad
Md. Saiful Alam
Niloy Kormokar
FORWARDING LETTER
To
Mr. Tofail Hossain
&
Mrs. Nishat Sultana
Department of Humanities,
Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology
Table of Contents
Topics
Page
List of illustrations
06
Summary
07
Introduction
08
08
Research method
08
What is ICT?
09
09
12
13
ICT in Bangladesh
14
18
19
20
23
Conclusions
24
Recommendations
25
30
Reference list
31
Bibliography
32
List of Illustrations
Table/Images
Page
10
11
13
16
PC availability
17
17
19
20
23
Effective partnership
24
25
Internet penetration
26
27
SUMMARY
The term ICT is the abbreviation of Information ,Communication and
Technology which means any communication device or application,
encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network
hardware and software, satellite systems and so on. The aspects of ICT
with respect to the whole world is getting larger and larger day by day
eventually. But the main fact is, the pace of ICT in Bangladesh is
getting lower for various reasons. Poverty, unconsciousness, corruption,
and mainly illiteracy are the main reasons among them. The huge rural
people, who covers the maximum manpower of our country arent able
to co-operate with the change of ICT as they even dont know how to
read and write. But, hopefully illiteracy is getting imperceptible day
after day. So, we if this problem can be solved, we can hope for bigger
change of the pace of ICT in near future.
1. Introduction
More than half a decade Digital Bangladesh has become the new mantra of development.
The widespread use of the term clearly signals the government's emphasis on the
development of the information and communication technology. Accordingly, the
government has formed a separate ministry in 2011 and has employed huge amount of
resources in several projects. Still its not developing how it should have.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/nov/18/kamal-progress-towards-digital-bangladeshsluggish
BASIS (date unknown), Bangladesh Software and IT Service Industry recent Trends & Dynamics,
<
http://www.basis.org.bd/resource/About_BASIS_&_Bangladesh_Software_and_ITS%20_Industry.pdf>,
last visited: 30 December 2013
2. What is ICT?
ICT (information and communications technology) is an umbrella term that includes any
communication device or application, encompassing: television, cellular phones,
computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on as well as the
various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and
distance learning.ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education,
health care or libraries. This term is more common outside of the the USA.
The term ICT is also used to refer to the convergence of audio-visual and telephone
networks with computer networks through a single baling or link system. There are large
economic incentives to merge the telephone network with the computer network system
using single unified system of cabling, signal distribution. According to the European
commission, the necessity of ICTs lies less in the technology itself than its ability to create
greater access to information and communication in underserved populations. Internationally,
the United Nations actively promotes ICTs for development as a means of bridging the
digital device.
Region
United
States
North America
62.50
50.15
284,797
Sweden
51.63
8,910
Australia
51.58
37.14
19,387
Norway
46.38
4,528
Japan
38.42
127,291
Russia
2.93
146,760
China
1.90
2.57
1,312,710
India
South Asia
0.58
0.68
1,027,015
Pakistan
South Asia
0.41
0.34
144,971
0.19
0.14
131,175
35.82
Computer and Internet Penetration Rates for Highest, Lowest and Largest Countries.
International Telecommunications Union (2001)
The ICT Development Index ranks and compares the level of ICT use and access across the
various countries around the world. In 2014 ITU (International Communications Union)
released the latest rankings of the IDI, with Denmark attaining the top spot, followed by
South Korea. The top 30 countries in the rankings include most high-income countries
where quality of life is higher than average, which includes countries from Europe and other
regions such as "Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Japan, Macao (China), New Zealand,
Singapore and the United States; almost all countries surveyed improved their IDI ranking
this year.
10
The following is a list of OECD countries by share of ICT sector in total value added in
2013
Country
South Africa
Japan
Ireland
Sweden
Hungary
United State
Czech Republic
Finland
United Kingdom
Estonia
Slovakia
Germany
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Switzerland
France
Slovenia
Denmark
Spain
Canada
Italy
Belgium
Austria
Portugal
Poland
Norway
Greece
Iceland
Mexico
in the past few decades, information and communication technologies have provided society
with a vast array of new communication capabilities. For example, people can communicate
in real time with others in different countries using technologies such as instant messaging,
Voice over IP (VoIP), and video-conferencing. Social networking websites
like Facebook allow users from all over the world to remain in contact and communicate on
a regular basis.
11
12
visually impaired or blind people. For instance, the Short Message Service (SMS) can be
used to send and receive messaged by the hearing impaired, the voice activated dialing
service can be used by visually impaired.
The education sector is arguably one major area that ICTs are playing remarkable a role.
These technologies help in facilitating learn ship and exchange of educational materials.
ICTs are helping library professionals store and manage academic information.
Commerce Electronic commerce or e-commerce is the use of telecommunications or the
Internet to carry out business of any type. Common examples of e-commerce are businessto-business e-commerce, online shopping, online banking, online stock trading etc.
Electronic transaction of business activities has 'redefined' the concepts of 'market', 'seller'
and 'buyers', as they all converge now on the electronic space. Billions of dollars worth of
transactions are completed on the Internet.
The use of ICTs has permeated the travel and tourism industry. ICTs in this industry consist
of various components that include computerized reservation systems, teleconferencing,
video, video brochures, management information systems, airline electronic information
systems, electronic funds transfer, digital telephone networks, smart cards, mobile
communication, e-mail, and Internet (Mansell & When, 1998). These various
communication technologies are being used in all sectors travel and tourism industry and
related sectors.
31%
29%
26%
14%
13
3. ICT in Bangladesh
ICT is the backbone of any digital initiative. ICT covers the vast area of information
technology, communication technology and the telecommunication technology. ICT is also a
combination of physical backbone and intellect. Computer systems, network machineries,
software, wire and wireless connectivity systems, broadcast hardware and many other
hardware and accessories are the physical backbone.
For more than half a decade Digital Bangladesh has become the new mantra of
development. The widespread use of the term clearly indicates the government's emphasis
on the development of the information and communication technology. Accordingly, the
government has formed a separate ministry in 2011 and has employed huge amount of
resources in several projects.
The government has targeted the educational institutions first. They came up with an
innovative idea of turning regular classrooms into multimedia classrooms. After several
experiments, it has now created a revolution in Bangladesh's education system. More than
20,000 schools all over the country have been provided with laptop and multimedia
projectors and teachers of these schools have been trained to develop multimedia content for
their students.
In cooperation with the project, the education ministry has digitized textbooks and has
published on the website of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board for free download.
In cooperation with BRAC, the government is also working to make textbook into movies,
which will be helpful to make the learning process more fun.
Students of many remote areas of the country are now beneficiaries of the new multimedia
contents. But introducing our youth to the technology is only the beginning. So the
government is running a country-wide program to train youth to get jobs all over the world.
Officially called Learning and Earning Development Project, it focuses mainly on college
and university students. Under this project, the ministry is training the youth about the ins
and outs of outsourcing jobs. Md. Nazrul Islam Khan, the secretary of the ministry says, In
14
the first phase we have trained 15,000 youngsters in district level and in 2012, these trained
youngsters have earned USD 20 million by working in different kinds of outsourcing
projects and in 2013 it has increased up to USD 50 million.
Training youngsters for income generating activities is a remarkable initiative for this
country of ever increasing unemployment. Md. Tobarak Hosen, a student of Pabna Edward
College, says, In Pabna there is hardly any job for new graduates. Without this training my
future would be as bleak as that of many other educated but unemployed graduates. Now I
don't have to look for work as I have a constant supply of work online.
One of the significant additions to this project is a program for women that enables them to
get outsourcing jobs. It trains young women of different districts and Upazilas in skills
needed for outsourcing. Md. Nazrul Islam Khan, the guide of all these programs, says, We
have emphasized on outsourcing activities because besides earning foreign currency, it's also
a knowledge based approach. By engaging in them, our youth are also developing their skills
and capacity as global citizens. Soon we will reach every Union with our training programs
and modify each of our Union Information Centre as Outsourcing Centers.
Union Information and Service Centre (UISC) is also a significant milestone for the
government's goal to achieve digital Bangladesh. These UISCs are one stop service outlets
operating in 4547 Union Parishads, the lowest tier of local government. At these centers, a
citizen can get most government services like public exam results, downloading government
forms, online application and university admission, population census data, livelihood or
employment information and also photo and mobile phone services. In this era of science it
is really a great blessing for us as the people of a developing country of the third world. It
has become possible only for the tremendous development in ICT sector.
Students are being trained to develop mobile phone applications. This is the most effective
way to provide many services and opportunities to the people of remotest parts of the
country. Nowadays many students of computer science of various universities and
polytechnic institutes are getting engaged in developing phone apps. They are using
different programming languages such as C, C++, Java, etc. in developing mobile phone
apps.
15
A National Data Centre is also going to be established to host all the government websites
and administrative offices and to connect the offices with each other. An independent
national certifying authority has been formed to digitalize official signatures and other
information. To prevent this huge virtual establishment from intruders and hackers, the
government has also formed a strong army of cyber security experts.
Higher productivity has been achieved in different economical sectors with the use of ICTs.
Bangladesh is an agricultural country. Agriculture of our country is being greatly influenced
by the development of ICT. Computer Literacy is ensured in almost all sectors of the
country.
ICT plays important role in preventing disasters. Effective climate change management
programs can be ensured through the use of ICT. Many steps can be taken to help the
disaster affected people with the help of technology.
Our law enforcing agencies now-a-days are also utilizing technology like CC TV to identify
the criminals.
..
1.9
..
..
..
250.0
..
17.3
..
0.33
16
PC availability: Personal computers per 1000 people- Estimates are derived from annual
questionnaires supplemented by other sources. Source: ITU.
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is growing very fast in Bangladesh. The tele-density (fixed line and
cellular) in Bangladesh is 34.768 percent (Source: BTRC)
A total of 12 landline operators have so far been awarded licenses. (Landline subscribers:
1.6 million).
The total number of PSTN phone subscribers has reached 1603.187 thousand at the end of
November 2009.
The total number of Mobile phone active subscribers has reached 50.55 million at the end of
November 2009.
At present 6 mobile phone companies are operating in Bangladesh. About 50.55 million
subscribers have come under the coverage of mobile network as on November 2009.
Telecom Infrastructure in Bangladesh
* 700,000 fixed lines (90% in service)
BTTB (Government monopoly)
17
Global Connectivity
*Internet
Private sector ISPs (June 1996)
VSAT initially licensed by BTTB deregulated in 2000
Around 75 ISPs
Mostly in Dhaka
Gradually spreading to other Cities/Towns
*E-mail
Dialing from outside 1994
150,000 account holders
CAGR > 100%
c. 700,000 users
*Broadband wireless or cable
available in Dhaka and Chittagong
*Submarine Cable connection to Global Information Superhighway
18
There are mainly three broad categories of software such as Customized Software,
Multimedia Software, Web Software developed in Bangladesh. The most widely used
programming language used for developing software are Visual Basic, C++, MS Access,
SQL, Oracle, Java, Fox-Pro, Developer 2000, HTML and more.
An encouraging sign is that 57% of the software companies are involved in Government
sector IT projects.
It is a positive sign since the Government sector is potentially the biggest client for the
software industry, with the National IT Policy guideline of allocating up to 5% of ADP, and
2% of revenue budget for IT.
Currently more than 100 companies are exporting software and outsourcing to more than 30
countries.
At least 40 Offshore Development Centers (ODC) and Joint Ventures started working during
the last 2-3 years, out of which 10 are with Danish IT firms.
19
Rapid development in the ICT sector also reflects a rapid growth of skilled manpower which
ultimately accelerates the economic growth. Despite many challenges such as political
instability, financial crisis and power shortages, many large and ambitious projects are going
on to achieve develop this sector. If the government functions at the current pace, we can
hope that within a few years the ICT sector will be the largest revenue earner for Bangladesh.
Sources: Development Data Group, World Bank
ICT business & government environment
(ratings from 1 to 7; 7 is
highest/best)
1995 2002
..
2.2
..
2.8
Competition in ISPs
..
4.2
..
1.5
..
2.1
..
4.4
Secure servers
..
1*
Sources: World Economic Forums Global Competitiveness Report 2002-2003 and Global
Information Technology Report 2002-2003 (ratings) and Net craft (secure servers).
Though ICT sector of our country has been developed a lot, it is not enough to cope with the
present world. While the developed countries of the world have exploited the potential of
science and technology in national development, developing countries have fallen behind.
Resource constraint, inadequate ICT capacity, and lack of appreciation of the power of ICT
may be cited as the reasons. The revolutionary development in the field of ICT has opened
up new opportunities for developing countries to move forward in the path of progress by
rationally exploiting its potential. In view of that, Bangladesh has been aspiring to achieve
20
enough
ICT in Bangladesh
Here is why??
21
electricity are key problems that regularly affect daily operations. Since many of the
companies
are dedicated to software development, damage of poor internet connectivity is limited.
3. The Bangladeshi ICT sector also suffers from poor international visibility and lack of
brand
name as a global offshoring destination.
4. The ICT sector in Bangladesh is comprised of mainly small ICT companies that currently
seem to lack focus and scale to take up large long-term projects.
5. Scalability is an issue as 90 percent of the companies have 10-30 employees.
6. The companies in Bangladesh do not manage to create a unique sales proposition. They
all offer a wide range of products and services. 80 percent of the companies in Bangladesh
are offering the same services. Whereas the technical work can be done, the long term
service is not very reliable because of the size of the companies.
7. There is a big lack of soft skills in Bangladesh. If you have 100 candidates for the job,
probably just 2 have the right soft skills (listening, keeping conversation going, etc.) This
makes training costs high.
8. Sometimes there is a gap between the industry needs and the IT graduates. To solve the
problem, companies need to offer trainings and internships for post-graduates.
22
5. Conclusions
Information Communication Technology (ICT) encompasses the broad fields of
data/information processing, transmission and Communications by means of computer and
telecommunication techniques and these modern tools are being increasingly used for
organizational/personal information processing in all sectors of economy and society. A
dependable information system is essential for efficient management and operation of the
public and private sectors. But there is a shortage of locally generated information needed
for efficient performance of these sectors. In order to meet this objective, ICT use in every
sector shall have to be accelerated in terms in terms of information generation, utilization
and applications. Considering the gravity and importance of ICT Honorable Prime Minister
has already declared ICT as the thrust sector.
6. Recommendations
KEY STRATEGY FOR DIGITAL BANGLADESH
As part of its agenda to build a Digital Bangladesh, the government has identified the
mobile phone as a key medium of electronic service delivery to citizens.
23
Although, mobile phones and their many technology options are already being utilized by
several agencies of the government, to truly utilize its true potential, an effective and
long-term partnership with the private sector is essential.
24
According to the World Bank, an extra 10 mobile phones per 100 people in a typical
developing country added 0.6 percentage points of growth in GDP per capita,
and this impact is about twice as large in developing countries than in developed
countries.
25
The role of network users in the innovation process increases as they generate or
contribute to new ideas (user-led innovation, or the democratization of innovation)
and collectively develop new products (such as open source software).
In terms of the impact on firms and the corporate sector, in developed economies,
broadband is revolutionizing the print, movie, music, gaming, and advertising
industries by enabling direct involvement by users in creating digital content.
1. %
9
4. %
0
5. %
5
5. %
8
7%
10.%
6
Poor quality and fixed line coverage, particularly outside of the core urban areas:
Currently, approx. 90% of fixed lines are concentrated in the urban areas, where only
25% of the population live.
26
2.
High access prices: However, this appears to be improving as mobile operators have
started to offer cheap pre-paid packages and the government has cut wholesale
broadband costs.
3.
Low awareness of the Internet and its benefits: In a survey in 2007/08, 75% of rural
Bangladeshis said that they were not aware of the Internet.
4.
Low levels of literacy in the country, particularly English literacy. Headcount literacy
rates in Bangladesh are around 50%. Based on current interfaces, this is likely to be
insufficient for someone to effectively access the Internet.
27
The Republic of Korea has seen a significant transformation, from less than 1
Internet user per 100 inhabitants in 1995 to one of the worlds most highly
penetrated broadband markets.
Provide schools with Internet access: In many cases it is the most cost
effective way to increase IT literacy and Internet awareness. The youths will
generally be the most technologically savvy age group, and will also have the
highest level of literacy, making them an ideal target group.
Infrastructure Improvement: it is the final and perhaps most critical area to ensure that
those who want to access the Internet are able to do so at a reasonable standard of quality.
Many governments globally have announced programs to invest heavily in fixed broadband
networks, led by Australia, which has committed to spend USD 30B over the next 8 years
to
build
its
national
broadband
network
28
Appendix
ICT-related Organizations
* 1979: BCS (Bangladesh Computer Society) 3000 members
* 1989: BCS (Bangladesh Computer Samity) 280 members
* 1997: BASIS (Bangladesh Association of Software & Information Services) 80
members
* 2001: ISP Association
*2001: E-Commerce Association
*2002: BTRC (Formerly *1979: BTTB)-Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory
Commission.-a govt. organization which control total telecommunication system of
Bangladesh.
Glossary
1.Global village It is used to express the idea of a connected world.
2.digital Bangladesh-An agenda taken by government of Bangladesh to make
advancement in information and technology.
3.ITU-International Telecommunication Union, deal with international
telecommunication.
C/C#/C++/JAVA some programming languages
VoIP-Voice over internet protocol. Calling through internet.
PIT-Public Information Terminal: Places where rural people can get information.
29
List of references
1.http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/nov/18/kamal-progress-
towards-digital-bangladesh-sluggish
2. BASIS (date unknown), Bangladesh Software and IT Service Industry
recent Trends & Dynamics, <
http://www.basis.org.bd/resource/About_BASIS_&_Bangladesh_Software_an
d_ITS%20_Industry.pdf>, last visited: 30 December 2013
3. Computer and Internet Penetration Rates for Highest, Lowest and Largest
Countries. International Telecommunications Union (2001).
4. ICT Development Index
5. ITU and UNESCO
6. Development Data Group, World Bank.
7. Sources: World Economic Forums Global Competitiveness Report 20022003 and Global Information Technology Report 2002-2003 (ratings) and Net
craft (secure servers).
8. http://www.amtob.org.bd/resource/telecom-recommendation.pdf
9. Source: GSMA
30
Bibliography
1. Do you have any idea about internet?
(a) yes (b)no (c)what is this?
2. Is our budget is enough for ICT sector?
(a) yes (b) No (c) No idea.
3.What is your opinion about adding vat in software and hardware?
(a)Good (b)bad (c)disappointing (d)no idea.
4.How much do you pay for your internet?
(a)a lot (b)little (c) not much
5.Do you know which generation of network we are using?
(a) yes (b) no (c)no idea
6.Do you think mobile internet is widespread now?
(a)yes (b) no (c)yes, but not enough
7.Hows the effect of Making ICT mandatory in high-school level?
(a)tremendous (b) good (c)bad (d) worse
8.Whats your opinion about free-lancing?
(a) its growing fast (b) its fascinating (c)both of them (d)not that good
9.Do you think importing fake products effects our ICT sector?
(a)yes (b) no (c)no idea
10.Is Digital Bangladesh a day dream?
(a) yes (b) no
31
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