Editorial
Lowering internet tariff
It would provide impetus to IT sector
IT is good news that the government is contemplating slashing of internet tariff even further to facilitate all round growth of the IT dependent business sector in the country. In a long overdue move, the government had cut back on the tariff by 20 to 40 percent from the rate prevalent till last February. But the sector needs extra support as it is being evaluated that further slashing of tariff would largely benefit the software developers and particularly the emerging call centre and outsourcing sector. We are heartened to learn that this sector is poised to take a leading position in Bangladesh business world that depends on the proficient use of the internet.
The Internet Service Providers Bangladesh (ISPB) has been liaising with Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) pushing a proposal for minimum tariff to help boost the sector. ISPB has given assurance that if tariff is lowered they would be able to provide services at the cheapest cost in the region. The Ministry of Finance, we believe, is giving serious consideration to the proposal and hopes abound that something positive might come out in about a month.
There is no denying that a bright future awaits Bangladesh with a wider and adroit use of internet facilities. A large number of our young men and women would find employment through an expansion of IT related business in the country. At the moment, some of the South-East Asian countries are enjoying a lion's share of the international outsourcing and call center business; therefore, there is no reason why we should lag behind. It needs to be mentioned that a month back the BTTB chairman had said Bangladesh's internet bandwidth tariff would be the lowest in South Asia. It is highly encouraging and we hope he would carry his point with the Ministry of Finance for an early acceptance of the proposal.
Bangladesh has immense potential to etch a name for itself in the IT sector with talents abounding all around. But the needs of the hour are: a pragmatic IT policy, well-laid-out infrastructure and availability of facilities at affordable cost, albeit underpinned by political stability and social harmony. Let us move in the right direction in right time.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments