tech-news
At 25, Grameenphone wants to become digital telco, contribute beyond connectivity
Telecom operator Grameenphone has completed 25 years and wants to become a digital telco and contribute beyond connectivity.
Grameenphone is the first Asian operation of Telenor that started its journey in Bangladesh in March 1997.
Read Hans Martin new Grameenphone chief corporate affairs officer
As part of its silver jubilee celebration programme, the telecom operator organised a media meet at a city hotel Sunday.
"We are truly humbled as a change agent to Bangladesh over the last 25 years. Our role has become imperative in the digitalisation of 51 years strong Bangladesh in the pursuit of becoming a self-sustained, digital economy," Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman said at the event.
Read Internet connectivity on the go: Grameenphone brings new 4G modems, routers
Edotco's solar street lamp project launched
Edotco Bangladesh, an integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company, has launched its first solar lamp CSR Project in Ramu and Kutubdia of Cox's Bazar to enhance the rural communities' livelihood by providing free electricity.
The solar street lamps are installed in the vicinity of the two edotco towers to light up the streets, used mainly by the local community at night, will benefit over 2,800 people.
The initiative will allow residents in the area to continue their day-to-day work and business even after sunset, resulting in the overall economic progress of the community.
Read Why solar power investors are in no man's land
It will also ensure a better sense of safety, particularly for children and women, as the project now allows them to use the streets at night with ease and comfort.
Ricky Steyn, country managing director of edotco Bangladesh, said: "We have always emphasised improving the lives of the underprivileged community living nearby our towers. We are delighted to launch effective and sustainable solutions like the Solar Lamp Project to provide free electricity in remote areas by harnessing solar energy."
The Solar Street Lamp CSR initiative is part of edotco Bangladesh's Tower2Power project.
Read Govt exploring rooftop, floating solar power for scarcity of lands: Nasrul
Launched in 2016, the project is one of edotco's local initiatives that has enhanced the livelihoods of over 4,000 households with free electricity.
'Edtech': Bongo, Shikho team up to improve video learning experience
Video streaming service provider Bongo has partnered with edtech or educational technology company Shikho to improve the video learning experience for online learners in Bangladesh.
This partnership will enable learners to get a faster experience and also learn offline without the internet.
Shikho, launched in November 2020, has over 350,000 learners across 64 districts where paying students spend over an hour learning daily.
Read 7 Local Startups Get Tk 150m Funds from Startup Bangladesh Limited
The company provides academic courses for Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) and competitive university entrance exams. Recently it acquired Bohubrihi, an online educational platform for professionals.
Bongo has over 3 million unique viewers with 200,000 people every day watching content all over Bangladesh.
It also works with over 550 content creators locally and internationally including creators from India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Canada.
Read The Emerging Logistics Tech Startups, Courier, Delivery Services in Bangladesh
Using Bongo's video solution, Shikho will be able to improve its streaming experience and get very detailed video analytics information to ensure the company knows what quality content is working and also how that content is reaching the end-user.
Bongo will also provide an offline learning experience in the future where students can simply go to a wifi hotspot to download the content and learn at home without any internet at their own pace.
Huawei BUET ICT Academy to develop talent ecosystem
Chinese telecom giant Huawei and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has set up an ICT academy to equip young learners with industry-fit skills and develop a talent ecosystem.
This ICT academy has been established as a non-profit education programme where the learners will be provided training and learning solutions to meet the needs of the ICT sector.
An opening ceremony was organised Wednesday at BUET.
Read:Huawei to enrich digital solutions to empower APAC's green development
State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present at the event as the chief guest and Pan Junfeng, CEO of Huawei Bangladesh, Dr Satya Prasad Majumder, vice-chancellor of BUET, were also present.
The participants in the academy's programme will get a chance to communicate with more than 3,000 instructors from around the world.
There will be 83 certification programmes on 19 different subjects as per the current plan.
Read Huawei holds campus recruitment event at IUT
The course and certification will be coordinated by Huawei Authorized Information and Network Academy.
Students will get three types of grade certificates based on their achievements from the ICT Academy – associate, professional, and expert.
Satya Prasad said: "The academy will contribute significantly to the existing curriculum of BUET as well as help the aspiring learners to develop themselves by acquiring hands-on experience and get insights about the industry."
Read:Huawei brings seven new devices for smart experience
Huawei Bangladesh CEO Pan Junfeng said: "In 2013, Huawei initiated its ICT Academy, a school-enterprise cooperation project, to help build a talent ecosystem. Huawei is happy to extend this project to Bangladesh as well."
The journey of Huawei BUET ICT Academy will also begin with around 250 students initially.
Huawei has more than 1500 such ICT academies in over 90 countries around the world.
Read Seeds for the Future winners visit Huawei Bangladesh headquarters
To date, the academies have started their activities in many other countries, including Pakistan, Zambia, and China.
Huawei to enrich digital solutions to empower APAC's green development
At an online media roundtable recently, Chinese telecom giant Huawei reiterated its commitment to empowering the green and sustainable future of the digital economy in Asia-Pacific (APAC).
To create a greener and more sustainable digital world, Huawei will increase investment in sustainable green solutions, leveraging clean power generation, electric transportation, and smart energy storage, to support APAC's goals of cutting carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and contributing to a circular economy, according to Jay Chen, vice-president of Huawei APAC.
Read: Huawei brings seven new devices for smart experience
At that media session arranged during MWC 2022 Barcelona, he said: "At Huawei, we are working closely with carriers and partners from around the world to explore solutions that help make life better, businesses smarter, and society more inclusive. We'd also love to share how our ICT technology is helping make the world a greener, more sustainable place."
In 2021, Huawei announced to support the digital ecosystem in APAC and shared that it would invest $50 million to develop 500,000 digital talents for the region in the next five years and would invest $100 million over three years to cultivate the startup ecosystem.
Read Seeds for the Future winners visit Huawei Bangladesh headquarters
Mobile users can carry forward unused internet data
Mobile phone users in Bangladesh now can carry forward their mobile data while purchasing new data package in which they can use their unused data further.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar made the announcement at an event on the implementation of new directives on data and data related packages of mobile operators at Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission's (BTRC) premises in Dhaka on Tuesday.
According to the new directives, in case of data carry forward, if a customer buys 4GB data pack for a period of 3 days and if his 2GB or 1GB data is unused on the third day, then if customer buys the same 4GB data pack for 3 days period, his unused data will be added to the new pack. And a customer will have the opportunity to use the unused data of the pack for the next 30 days.
Read: Each union to get high speed broadband internet by 2023: Mustafa Jabbar
In addition, if a customer purchases the same amount of data and purchases data packs for different validity period, they will have the opportunity to carry it forward.
However, mobile phone users of the state-owned Teletalk can enjoy using their purchased internet data as long as there is data balance.
That means there will be no validity on internet data for Teletalk users.
Teletalk will implement this directive from March 17, on the occasion of birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said.
Read Telecom Minister unveils data packs sans validity in Bangladesh
He said Bangladesh has come out of the limitation of having any validity on mobile data for the first time in the world.
The minister also expressed hope that other mobile operators after Teletalk will introduce this system in phases.
He urged the operators to keep the validity of the data package unlimited.
He also instructed the officials concerned including the mobile operators to look into the issue of financial loss of the customers as a result of the call drop.
Read:5G services to be rolled out on trial basis this year: Jabbar
Meanwhile, about the new package directives, BTRC Director General (System & Services) Md Nasim Parvez said each operator will be able to launch a total of 95 packages. There will be a maximum of 85 packages including regular package and customer centric special package (CCSP) and a maximum of 10 packages for research and development (R&D).
Besides, the validity of all packages will be 03/07/15/20 days.
He further said the number of packages has decreased by 50.4% now.
Read GP’s call drops decrease but continue to be highest, says BTRC Chairman
Top features of vivo V23 series
Global smartphone brand vivo released two V23 versions in Bangladesh – the Vivo V23 5G and Vivo V23e.
The V23 series has set the benchmark for smartphone cameras in 2022, the company says.
V20 had drawn attention for its 44 MP front camera. And it is now equipped with a 50-megapixel eye-autofocus front camera.
Read: Vivo V23e: Affordable phone with 50MP AF Portrait Selfie camera
An 8GB RAM, 128GB memory and a MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G processor, provide V23 5G with high-end specifications for fast performance.
Priced at Tk39,990, the phone has a 4,200mAh battery with 44W flash charging technology.
V23e also comes with a 50-megapixel eye-autofocus selfie camera.
Read Samsung Galaxy M23: Is it worth waiting for this device?
The phone's Extreme Night Portrait mode enables its camera to take multi-style portraits and take them in the dark also. It also has dual view video technology to enhance the user experience.
Vivo V23e's 8GB RAM in can be extended up to 12GB.
Priced at Tk27,990, the 44W flash charge-enabled V23e can charge 33 per cent faster because of the quick charge technology, allowing the phone to charge up to 40 per cent in only 15 minutes.
Read OPPO Reno7 Pro 5G Review: Is it worth it?
OPPO launches A76 on March 13 in Bangladeshi market
Leading global smart device brand OPPO launched another stylish and powerful smartphone from its A series –the OPPO A76 –on March 13 in the Bangladeshi market to empower the smartphone users and elevate their lives.
OPPO A76 is powered by Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 680 and gives users the versatility and power for extended gaming and multimedia performance.
OPPO A76 optimized for a faster and smoother user experience than previous generations.
Read: OPPO Find X5 Pro: Review of the latest flagship device
The device powered up with 6GB+128GB, delivering smoother performance even after long periods of use, as well as more room to fit photos, videos, and other files. And it also supports a 5GB RAM Expansion feature and 256 GB ROM Expendable feature, which greatly optimizes phone storage.
The device is equipped with 33W SuperVOOC charging technology and a 5000mAh long-lasting battery, which can charge the phone to 55% battery in only 30 minutes and 2 hours of You-tube watch for 5-minute charge.
With such power, the device usage of the A76 shall require no interruptions whatsoever. Moreover, it features a 6.56-inch 90Hz Color-rich punch hole display, taking the viewing experience a few notches higher. Weighing about 189g with a dimension of 164.4mm X 75.7mm X 8.4mm, the device will feel as comfortable as ever. The 720 x 1612 pixels display accounts for a seamless movie experience.
Read OnePlus Nord 3: Updated Rumors, Leaks You Need to Know
Powered by ColorOS 11.1 based on Android 11, the device ensures enhanced productivity, entertainment and an immersive smartphone experience. With the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G Mobile Platform, users can expect a lag-free scrolling-and-swiping on the A76. For the photography enthusiasts, the device comes with a dual camera setup consisting of a 13MP (f/2.2) wide main camera and a 2 MP (f/2.4) depth camera, along with an 8MP front camera, ensuring crisp photos and videos at all instances. On top of that, the device also allows Dual Sim Cards, eliminating the need to use more than one mobile phones for two mobile numbers.
Mr. Damon Yang, Managing Director from OPPO Bangladesh said, “We believe in educating the society and elevating lives through the amalgamation of style and leading technology. With the A76, we are setting newer grounds for efficiency, utility and power within our devices. Users of our latest device will have the opportunity to enjoy a seamless experience with great value.”
Read: OPPO Reno7 Pro 5G Review: Is it worth it?
Available in two stylish colors – Glowing Black and Glowing Blue, OPPO A76 offers a series of innovative and powerful features, all at only BDT 19990. This phone is now available at all the outlets and online marketplaces.
OPPO A76 Features:
Color: Glowing Black, Glowing Blue; Size: 164.4mm X 75.7mm X 8.4mm; Weight: 189g; Display: 6.56-inch 90Hz Color-rich punch hole display 720*1612 (HD+); CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680; System: ColorOS11.1 based on Android 11; Memory: 6 GB RAM+128 GB ROM; Rear Camera: 13MP + 2MP; Front Camera: 8MP; Battery: 5000mAh; Charging: 33W Super VOOC.
Read Motorola Edge 30 Pro Review: What does it offer?
Realme leads Bangladesh smartphone market in 2021: Counterpoint
Youth-centric brand realme led the smartphone market of Bangladesh in 2021 with a 17 percent share, according to the latest report of global research firm Counterpoint.
At 82 percent year-on-year, realme grew the highest among the top five brands in 2021, it said.
Bangladesh's overall smartphone market increased 11 percent year-on-year during this time, the Counterpoint report also said.
Read: realme showcases realme GT 2 Pro during media session for journalists
However, the 5G smartphone penetration is still in a very early stage in the country.
Telecom operator Teletalk started rolling out its 5G network in the country on December 31, 2021.
Initially, the network will be available at six major locations before being expanded to more locations in 2022.
Read realme 9i: A step in the style and performance
5G smartphones will capture a significant share in the market in the coming years.
According to another report published by the leading global technology market analyst firm Canalys, realme clinched the top spot as a smartphone maker in the Bangladeshi market in terms of shipments in Q4 2021.
realme made it to the top with a 20 percent unit share and registered over 50 percent growth in Q4.
Read Realme to launch world's fastest charging technology in MWC
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: Leaks, Rumors, Probable Release Date, Expected Price
The A series from Samsung has been a mid-range go-to option for users for a long time. In recent times, the company has shifted to a more premium mid-range segment with their A-series, bringing in a few features from the flagship S line. The latest Galaxy A53 5G is expected to be revealed in the upcoming Samsung Awesome Unpacked event in March 2022. Here is everything that is known so far about the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G.
Leaked features of Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
All the rumored details here are obtained from a massive leak in Italy. The device appeared on one of the retailer's websites for a brief while. But that was enough to provide a complete glimpse of what is to be expected from Samsung.
Design and Build Quality
The A-series always had a toned-down appearance of the S series. The same story holds here as well. The exact build material of the device is not confirmed yet. But users can expect a front glass and back with stainless steel or aluminum frame combination.
Read Apple iPhone SE 3: Leaks, rumors about release date, price, Specs
The phone is expected to weigh around 190 g which further confirms the rumored material choice. At 8.1 mm thickness, the phone will be one of the slimmest from Samsung in recent times.
Moving on to the connectivity, users will get a choice of either a single sim or a hybrid dual sim option depending on the region. The phone is also slated to be IP67 water and dust-resistant. Even though the phone can survive 1 m underwater for 30 minutes on paper, it is not recommended to test the limit in any way.
There will be stereo speakers on the A53 5G like its predecessors. Unfortunately, headphone jacks won’t make any more comebacks on the A series Samsung devices. There will be a second generation of USB Type-C which will definitely aid in the fast charge and data transfer process.
Read Samsung Galaxy M23: Is it worth waiting for this device?
The Display
Samsung has been the absolute leader in the display industry for decades now. Their display tech has trickled from the flagship lines to the mid-range to even the entry-level ones. The display on the A53 5G is rumored to be an FHD+ Super AMOLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The display is a slightly toned-down version of the S series. The choice here clearly shows that Samsung is going to market the A53 5G as a premium mid-range device.
The 6.64-inch display also provides some insight into the overall form factor of the device. The A53 5G is expected to have a bezel-less design so the overall dimension should be right around the display size.
The display itself is beautiful as ever. It can push a max brightness of up to 800 nits which is perfect for outdoor legibility. Beyond that, the display also supports HDR 10+ which is perfect for streaming HD content directly on the device.
Read: eSIM in Bangladesh: All you need to know
The Camera
The camera has always been a prominent highlight of the A-series devices. Like most other features, the camera module is also a trickled-down version of their flagship lineup. The quad-camera setup will come with a 64 MP main sensor and a 12 MP ultrawide lens. The other two are a depth and macro sensor of 5 MP each.
The main two lenses are stacked as ever. Users will be getting PDAF as well as OIS as standard. Users will have to wait for the official launch of the device to get actual picture samples. However, the specs for the cameras look promising. The front features a 32 MP camera, the same that was seen on the A52.
The phone seems to be equally capable on the videography end. The video is slated to be 4K at 30 fps with 1080P at either 30 or 60 fps thanks to the gyro-EIS.
Read Tecno Pop 5 LTE Review: Durable phone under affordable price range
Processor and Performance
The Samsung A53 5G will come with Exynos 1200 chipset. The Exynos 1200 is equivalent to the Snapdragon 700 series. The chipset is an octa-core one with 2 2.4 GHz and 6 2.0 GHz configurations.
There isn't any real-life performance data available yet. However, the chipset is designed to be a fairly capable one. The single-core score of the Exynos 1200 is rated at 690 and multi-core at 1846. This gives some insight into the performance capabilities of this device.
Users should be able to breeze through almost anything without any sort of noticeable difference. The device may heat up a bit with continuous gaming but that is typical of Samsung. Overall, the performance should be more than enough even for a demanding user.
Read OPPO Reno7 Pro 5G Review: Is it worth it?
The OS here will be reprised by One UI. This time users will be getting One UI 4.0 based on Android 12. The One UI has slowly become a functional OS cutting out all of its bloatware. So previous Samsung owners as well as new users alike should not have any issue making the transition whatsoever.
Battery and Charge Time
The leaked spec sheet showed a standard 5000 mAh battery for the Samsung A53 5G. Given the previous performance record, users should get around 6 to 8 hours of continued usage with the device. In addition to that, the device will come with a 25W charger out of the box. The fast charger will be able to top up the device from zero to 100% in about an hour and 15 minutes.
Read Vivo X80 Series: Leaks, Rumors, Probable Release Date
Price of Samsung Galaxy A53 5G in Bangladesh
The expected price of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G in India is 36,460 Rs for the 6/128 GB variant. The price roughly translates to 41,294 BDT (1 INR = 1.13 BDT). However, the price is subject to change due to various factors like company policy, tax, and supply.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is going to be yet another impressive premium mid-range device from Samsung. The battery, design, and display are impeccable as ever and can rival the flagships of other companies. Samsung could have introduced their 108 MP sensor on the A-series but chose not to cut costs. Overall, it’s going to be a performance-oriented device with Samsung’s reliability on board.
Read Best Upcoming Phones in March 2022 in Bangladesh: Official and Unofficial