Mobile phone operator Robi today launched 4G mobile service for both Robi and Airtel brand users in all the 64 districts across the country.
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar pressed the Robi 4.5G and Airtel 4G plus buttons at a ceremony held in city's Bangabandhu International Convention Centre, BSS reported.
"We've started offering 4G service with 1,500 sites across the country a day after getting the 4G/LTE license and it will be 2,500 sites by the end of this month," said Robi Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mahtab Uddin Ahmed at the ceremony.
However, Robi officially launched the 4G service in a few cities on Monday night within minutes of receiving the license along with Grameenphone and Banglalink.
Robi declared at the launching event that using the best quality and big chunk of spectrum relative to the other market players it is offering the best indoor coverage, the best internet speed and the best seamless coverage consistently.
Customers will be able to enjoy the 4G service for the same price they use the data products available these days, it added.
Expressing his gratitude to Robi for expanding 4G in district level in quickest possible of time, Mustafa Jabbar hoped Robi will ensure 4G coverage in remote areas.
"People expect quality of service from the operators and I hope you (Robi) will ensure quality of service alongside doing business profitably."
Regarding the duty imposed by the national board of revenue for SIM replacement, he said the issue would be discussed with the finance minister and "I hope he (finance minister) would play assistive role in this regard".
Besides State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, said Bangladesh has made its presence globally through introducing the 4G service.
"We will step into advance in all sectors if we can ensure high speed internet connectivity in every nook and cranny of the country," said Palak lauding Robi's role in building digital Bangladesh.
Congratulating Robi, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood: "We don't want to limit ourselves within 4G service, we are taking preparation for 5G. So, I hope operators will ensure quality of service."
Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Shyam Sunder Sikder also spoke on the occasion.
Alongside the launching ceremony in Dhaka, 4G service was ceremonially launched in all the other divisional cities at the same time.
In each of the divisional city, a member of Robi's Management Council was present to celebrate the historic moment with the local dignitaries. Using the 4G video calling service, the launching ceremonies held in the divisional cities were connected to the launching ceremony held in Dhaka.
Robi CEO said with the launch of 4G, the country has officially entered into the era of 4th Industrial Revolution. "We are confident that with government's support, we will be able to complete the Digital Bangladesh vision by 2021 powered by the blistering speed of 4G service."
To make the 4G launch successful in Bangladesh, government should consider reducing taxes on 4G devices, reduce duty on 4G equipment, introduce special incentive for rolling out 4G service in the rural areas, resolve all pending VAT disputes and move to Unified Licensing regime like the neighbouring countries, opined Mahtab.