Bangladesh 6

Bangladesh got connected with global information superhighway on November 22 through the much-awaited submarine cable line

CHITTAGONG, Nov 26 (BSS): Bangladesh got connected with global information superhighway on November 22 through the much-awaited submarine cable line. Initially the country got connected with Middle East by 120 out of 220 channels. The rest of the channels will be activated by December 13, high officials of the Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) said.

Installation of submarine cable line, construction of landing station at Cox's Bazar, domestic underground line in Bangladesh territory and other technical preparations like on-trial tests and cross examination have already been completed.

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) financed the $41.42 million-project for Bangladesh segment. 16 organisations of 14 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe earlier formed a consortium to install the 22 thousand-kilometre long submarine cable line titled "SEAMEWE4" (South East Asia Middle East and West Europe-4).

The work of the landing station of information superhighway in Bangladesh began on April 21 last year and had been completed on October 2 last. Sources said except the construction work of landing station in Annaba in Algeria, all works including wet part have been completed.

All tests including that of Bangladesh territory were completed on October 2 last and all the tests reports were sent to the consortium on October 15 last, the sources added. The BTTB officials said Bangladesh is going to be connected with Etislaat (UAE) through 220 channels information superhighway on December 13 next. BTTB officials said besides existing ones, the country would have the capacity to use more 7.0 million cell phones after it connects with global information superhighway formally.

The key-features of the new technology that will be beneficial for the cell phone users are, it will be of very lower cost and is enriched with high capacity Bandwidth of electric isolation. Talking to BSS, Mohammad Shah Alam, Divisional Engineer of BTTB, Chittagong said Bangladesh's linking with global information superhighway would create opportunities for setting up software development industries, attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in ICT sectors and foster radical advancement in the overall economy.

The government has adopted national ICT policy in October of 2002 for the development of the sector and the target has been set to earn $2.0 billion annually by exporting software, hardware products and from the data entry industry.