Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, MP, today said the government is planning to establish AI and freelancing training centres at every upazila level alongside expanding 5G services and high-speed internet connectivity across the country.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Telecom Future: New Government’s Vision”, organised by Telecom and Technology Reporters’ Network (TRNB), he said the government is giving serious attention to AI, digital connectivity, cyber security and telecom infrastructure development under the guidance of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Faqir Mahbub Anam, also Minister of the Science and Technology Ministry, said the government wants to train the young generation in AI and freelancing so that they can develop skills and earn substantial income abroad.

He said the present government in its election manifesto declared the telecommunications and ICT sector as an important sector and wants to create huge number of jobs in the sector.

Faqir Mahbub Anam said the government’s next priority would be ensuring reliable and high-speed internet for all, while reducing the digital divide between urban and rural areas through expansion of last-mile fibre connectivity nationwide.

He said satellite-based connectivity is also being expanded to deliver high-speed internet services in remote areas, char regions, hilly areas and coastal regions.

As part of preparations for 5G and future technologies, the government plans to gradually expand 5G services in divisional cities, industrial zones and airports, he said, adding that efforts are also underway to build modern infrastructure for AI, cloud, data centres, IoT and smart connectivity-based services.

He said cyber security, data protection and network resilience are being given the highest importance, while initiatives have been taken to implement modern laws and policies related to national information management, personal data protection and cyber security.

On TeleTalk, he said the government has no plan to sell the state-run operator. “We are trying that if we can invest around Taka 5,000 crore, then it would be possible to bring TeleTalk into competition with Grameenphone or Robi,” he said.

However, he said the government currently has financial limitations and is therefore exploring possibilities of financial support on a G2G basis or foreign investment under PPP arrangements.

He said the presence of TeleTalk helps maintain competition in the market and prevents private operators from increasing prices arbitrarily.

Referring to submarine cable capacity, he said the country currently has sufficient capacity and hoped that another nearly 30 terabytes could be added by 2027.

Faqir Mahbub Anam also said the government has already introduced free WiFi at airports, on trains through Starlink connectivity and at railway stations in Cox’s Bazar as part of efforts to improve public services.

He urged journalists to publish objective and fact-based reports, saying the government wants transparency, accountability and a corruption-free administration.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Rehan Asif Asad spoke the event as special guest, while BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Emdad Ul Bari as the main discussant.

Barrister Shahed Alam, Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Robi presented the keynote paper titled “Shaping the Next Era of Telecom: Bangladesh Perspective.”

With TRNB President Samir Kumar Day in the chiar, General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin delivered welcome address.