Sci-Tech

Banglalink to invest $1b for 4G service

Banglalink, one of the country’s leading digital communications service providers, is set to offer 4G, the fourth generation internet for all through a most advanced and powerful network.Banglalink’s parent company VEON’s CEO Jean-Yves Charlier expressed his willingness to invest US$ 1.0 billion over the next 3 years, according to a Banglalink media release.To achieve this, the company is working on upgrading its network to offer a data heavy and seamless connectivity for its customers.Bangladesh now has one of the fastest internet growth rates in the world. The smartphone penetration is close to 30 percent and has been increasing in a commendable rate.Banglalink is progressing ahead with a vision of fast and affordable internet, the way it ensured an affordable mobile telephony a decade back, will open up opportunities, and accelerate the digital economy, digital health, digital education and many more to make Bangladesh an information, knowledge and digitalized service based middle income country.The company is all set to launch a 4G network that is the perfect complement to the government’s digital vision. There had been successful testing of our network for 4G a year back by one of our partners, and innovative approaches to network modernization had also been taken and recently started converting SIM to 4G. Nevertheless, we continue to invest in efficient, high-speed data networks aiming to substantially improve 3G coverage as well. Currently 90 percent sites have been brought under 3G coverage and within this year the rest will be upgraded as well, Jean added.“We are committed to offer the best in 4G to ensure digital inclusion of everyone and a digital life for all. We look forward to launch 4G as we continue to transform our networks to make it affordable for our customer and help reducing digital divide,” said Pierre Boutros Obeid, Chief Technology Officer, Banglalink, the press release also said.Source: BSS