The government has initiated steps to reduce internet costs to make access more affordable and user-friendly for citizens, said Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Advisor to the Interim Government for the Ministries of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives, and Youth & Sports.

Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar held at the BTRC headquarters in Dhaka to mark World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, Bhuiyan announced that internet prices at the IIG (International Internet Gateway) and NTTN (Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network) levels have already been reduced. Consumers are expected to benefit from these cuts within the next couple of months.

He emphasised the need for further price reductions and broader accessibility, especially in essential sectors. "While we’ve made significant progress in utilising the internet for education, sectors like agriculture and healthcare remain far behind. We must focus on expanding internet access in these areas," he said.

Addressing the impact of natural disasters, Bhuiyan noted that mobile internet often becomes unreliable during floods and storms. "While we can`t control these events, we must find ways to ensure uninterrupted internet services during such times," he stressed. "Maintaining resilient telecommunications during emergencies should be a national priority."

He also reflected on the dangers of internet blackouts, citing the July coup, where a communication shutdown masked a massacre. "We only learned the truth after the internet was restored. This underlines the importance of defining internet access as a basic civil right," he said. A draft Cybersecurity Ordinance has been prepared in this regard, which he described as a major achievement of the current administration.

Bhuiyan urged greater involvement of youth in tech innovation, warning that many local talents are being lost due to a lack of resources and support. "We frequently hear of new technological breakthroughs, but our contribution remains questionable—this includes our adoption of 3G, 4G, and 5G."

He also stressed the need for safer digital spaces for women. "We must ensure secure use of the internet and ICT. We admit that we`ve failed to adequately protect women in cyberspace—but the new Cybersecurity Ordinance aims to change that," he added.

Speaking at the event, Fayez Ahmed Tayyab, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and IT, said the government is committed to increasing women`s participation in the ICT sector. "The Cybersecurity Ordinance is expected to pass within weeks. Once enacted, it will offer stronger protection for women online," he said. He also noted that women will be prioritised in the National Innovation Challenge and the `Shobuj Pata` (Green Leaf) initiative.

This year`s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is being observed under the theme: "Digital Transformation for Gender Equality." The day includes seminars, fairs, commemorative stamp releases, and a hackathon. The BTRC premises have been decorated with banners and festoons for the occasion.

It was also announced that BTRC has launched its e-licensing service, and at the event, e-licenses were officially handed over to one nationwide and one divisional ISP. Awards were also presented in various categories to recognise contributions to the ICT sector.

Dignitaries present included Mahbuba Farzana, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; BTRC Chairman (Retd.) Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari, ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, and Post and Telecommunication Secretary Zahirul Islam.