Now Bangladesh to launch satellite into space
Counties like Germany, Russia, China consulted for satellite launch, says Minister
Dhaka, Nov 26 (UNB) - Now Bangladesh enters space-age as the government plans to launch a satellite into the space for development of the country’s telecommunications services.
Post and Telecommunications Minister Razi Uddin Ahmed Raju made the announcement at a press conference at the Press Information Department (PID) auditorium Thursday.
He said the satellite to be installed in the space will be used only for business purpose.
“The Post and Telecommunications Ministry has already negotiated with some counties like Germany, Russia and China for the launch of the maiden satellite of the country,” he told journalists.
Referring to the satellite of India, the Minister said China had given technical support to India in launching nine out of its 13 satellites.
“If we get technical supports from those countries, we will be able to launch satellite into space soon,” he added.
Recalling government’s initiatives in the telecommunications sector, he said the government gave free land-phone connections to the subscribers in every upazila and growth center. “It will continue till February 28.”
The Minister said they reduced the Broadband Internet connection fee to Tk 800 from Tk 1,000 as well BTCL lease-line connection fee to Tk 5,000 from Tk 12,200.
Describing the present condition of the BTCL, Razi Uddin Ahmed said they increased the BTCL land-phone subscribers to 9 lakh from 8.5 lakh within a year. “We will give at least one crore telephone connections by 2012.”
He informed that many foreign investors expressed their willingness to invest in the country’s telecommunications sector.
About the state-owned mobile operator, Teletalk, the minister said a Chinese investor has given a proposal for investing $ 211m dollars in TeleTalk. “We will be able to increase the subscribers to 55 lakh.”
He also informed that the government has taken an initiative to set up an industry in Tongi to produce modern telephone sets, electronic digital meter, mobile battery and battery chargers.
“The tender for the project will be floated within this month,” he said.
