All social media platforms including Facebook will be unblocked within two hours on Wednesday. State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak confirmed the development. Palak shared the update following virtual meeting with representatives from Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, joining from Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building in Dhaka's Agargaon this morning. Earlier on July 18, internet services were disrupted and access to social media platforms were blocked.   Read more: Only Youtube gets back to Palak; Facebook, others have till Wed morning

4G mobile internet service has been after 10 days of shutdown. However, TikTok and Meta services, including Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp, will remain restricted. Earlier in the day, State Minister of Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak announced that mobile internet will be restored at 3pm today. The minister came up with the announcement while briefing the media following a meeting with Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh. Palak said all subscribers will get 5 GB internet for 3 days for free. Regarding access to social medial platforms, the state minister said the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has sent letters to authorities of social media platforms including Facebook, Tiktok and YouTube. Palak said that Facebook is promoting the content that is supposed to be automatically blocked according to their policy. “No action has been taken against those contents and we wanted to know why they didn't take action.” Read: Decision on mobile internet restoration after meeting with AMTOB: Palak “Their representatives were summoned to explain it in Dhaka  by July 31. Then decision will be taken after discussing with them,” he added. Following a complete internet blackout for five days, the government restored only broadband internet connections from Tuesday night (July 23) on a priority basis. In the wake of violence amid students’ demonstrations for quota reform, the government halted mobile internet services in the morning on July 18 and at 9pm on the same day broadband internet services were suspended, disconnecting Bangladesh with the rest of the world online and disrupting various services. On Saturday, Palak claimed that internet was not intentionally shut down but was disrupted due to the burning of three data centers and hundreds of kilometers of cables. These incidents caused a loss of Tk500 crore in the telecom sector alone and a total loss of hundreds of crores of taka, he added. He also said that there were attacks at 17 locations in Dhaka Division. “In Mohakhali, three data centers housed 18 IIG systems, which host 70% of the ISP servers, causing the internet disruption. We did not intentionally shut down the internet.” He said these while addressing an event held at Agargaon in the capital marking Sajeeb Wazed Joy's 54th birthday. Mobile internet temporarily shut down, says Palak; cites unstable situation as reason  

Around 79-80% of broadband internet services will be restored by tonight (July 24, 2024), according to Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB). ISPAB President Emdadul Hoque told UNB that they are aiming to fully restore broadband internet services by tonight. “We are working on this; hope at least 70-80% will be restored,” he added. Govt offices to operate from 11 am to 3 pm Wednesday, Thursday: Ministry Internet services in some areas were restored last night. Important establishments including government institutions, banks, gas and electricity service providers had broadband internet services restored on a priority basis. State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak will speak in detail on this matter at the BTRC Bhaban this afternoon.

In response to the unrest sparked by ongoing protests demanding reforms to the quota system in government jobs, mobile internet services have been temporarily shut down, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak said today (July 18, 2024). During a press briefing at the ICT Tower in Dhaka’s Agargaon, Palak addressed the media, saying, “Mobile internet services have been temporarily halted due to the unstable situation created centering the protests. Once the situation stabilizes, we will restore connectivity promptly.” ‘Complete Shutdown’: Protestors, police clash in Dhaka’s Uttara; police box and 2 buses vandalized The state minister explained that the suspension was necessary to curb the spread of rumors and maintain stability amid the protests. “Various groups with vested interest have been spreading false information on social media, contributing to the instability. Hence, the decision to shut down mobile internet services was made without prior notice, based on the evolving situation,” he added. Palak also highlighted the government’s communication with major social media platforms like Facebook, Google, YouTube, and TikTok. He expressed dissatisfaction with their privacy policies concerning the removal of controversial content. “We have contacted these companies, but their privacy policies regarding content removal are not satisfactory. If their actions lead to any casualties, they will not be exempt from accountability. These companies must establish data centers in Bangladesh and operate in compliance with local laws,” he said. Read more: Shutdown cripples capital city amid clashes between police and protesters

Startup Bangladesh Limited, the flagship venture capital fund of the ICT Division, today announced that it has canceled a Tk 5 crore investment proposal for 10 Minute School, Bangladesh’s largest edtech platform. The decision was shared on Startup Bangladesh’s verified Facebook page and reiterated by State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak on his own verified page. Attack on students: Quota protesters block Khulna-Jashore Highway “Startup Bangladesh Limited has rejected the investment proposal of Tk 5 crore for 10 Minute School,” Palak posted. Quota protests: NSU, BracU, IUB students block major roads in Dhaka This move comes amid the ongoing protests demanding reform of the quota system in government jobs. Ayman Sadiq, co-founder and CEO of 10 Minute School, has publicly supported the protestors’ demands for quota reform. “We demand quota reform. Merit should be the biggest quota,” Sadiq posted on his Facebook on Saturday, using the hashtag #QuotaMovement. Quota reform protests: Students block several points of Dhaka-Barishal Highway

State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Monday (June 24, 2024) said a drive involving all concerned will be conducted to stop online gambling. Around 50 lakh people are involved in online gambling, the state minister told reporters after a meeting with French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy at the secretariat. Read more: Finance Minister sees online gambling, hundi behind increasing money laundering When his attention was drawn to the issue of money laundering through online gambling, the state minister said, "We have exchanged views on online gambling. Our children of different ages are at serious risk. Even many elderly retired persons are coming in. Analyzing the data, we have seen how 50 lakh people have become involved in these gambling sites.” "We are trying to block illegal gambling sites. I'm also trying to create awareness. So that common people are not deceived by any such temptation.” A total of 2,600 gambling sites have already been blocked and now mobile apps are being blocked, he said adding “It's a continuous process, it will continue.” He said they sat with the Department of Telecom, National Telecom Monitoring Centre, Computer Council, BTRC and Cyber Security Agency to discuss blocking of these gambling sites. Read more: Online gambling apps to be stopped: Palak

State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Thursday said that presently, Walton Hi-Tech Industries is the largest and most successful hi-tech park in Bangladesh. He came up with the remarks after visiting Walton headquarters at Chandra in Gazipur on Thursday. He said that starting with electronics and home appliances, Walton has brought the world’s unique and innovative solutions through smart devices. Thus, Walton has played an important role in making the nation a productive one, according to a media release. “Walton also inspired us to build a self-reliant and export-oriented country through their electronics and digital devices,” he said. “We are working on building a smart Bangladesh and we have a target to increase the export volume to 5 billion by next 5 years,” he said. “Besides this, we are also aiming to create employment for over 1 million people in the same time frame and Walton is one of the development partners in these courses of action.” He also said that the government is emphasising locally manufactured products in its procurement process. In continuation of this, the government used nearly 4 lakhs of tabs from Walton during the last ‘population and housing census’ that saved more than Tk.150 crores of the government. The authorities of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics have thanked Walton as the Walton tabs met the high standard. The government distributed those tabs among the students after the census ended. Many more amount of government money can be saved by taking those types of activities. Palak inaugurated the commercial production of solid-state drive (SSD), a new model of Walton smartphone named ‘NexG N72’, and up to 100% cashback offer on Walton computer products. Secretary of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division Shamsul Arefin, Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited’s Chairman SM Rezaul Alam, Managing Director SM Monjurul Alam, Managing Director of Hi-tech Park Authority GSM Jafarullah, Project Director of Aspiration to Innovation a2i Mamunur Rashid Bhuyan and Walton Hi-Tech’s Director Raisa Sigma Hima were also present. Walton Digi-Tech’s Additional Managing Director Md. Liakat Ali and Deputy Managing Director Yousuf Ali along with high officials of Walton also attended the event.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Sunday said no one will be left out under Smart Bangladesh. “No one will be left behind, be it the students of madrassas or those living in remote mountains. Through the leadership of all, we will build a progressive and innovative smart Bangladesh,” he said. The State Minister said this during a view-exchange meeting with the concerned stakeholders regarding the implementation of inclusive, knowledge-based, and innovative Smart Bangladesh. The interaction was organized by Aspire to Innovate-a2i and the Information and Communication Technology Division at the ICT Tower in the capital on Sunday (November 19, 2023). 1 dead, 3 injured in steel mill fire at Dhaka's Kadamtoli area Secretary of ICT Division, Shamsul Arefin, Project Director (Joint Secretary) of a2i, Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan, Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Digital University, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mahfuzul Islam, as well as entrepreneurs, representatives of technology-based business organizations, teachers, freelancers, influencers, women, disabled, and media workers from the country, attended the programme. At that time, they shared their suggestions, recommendations, and proposals for the implementation of Smart Bangladesh by 2041 in their respective fields. In his speech, Palak said that when the dream of Digital Bangladesh was seen 14 years ago, everyone used to make fun of it, but today this dream has become a reality. “We are now a developing country. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we are dreaming of a new Bangladesh. By 2041, this country will be an inclusive, knowledge-based, and innovative Smart Bangladesh,” he added. Ban e-cigarettes to protect new generation: e-CAB Highlighting the four pillars of Smart Bangladesh - Smart Citizens, Smart Economy, Smart Government, and Smart Society, the state minister said the smart ID will be implemented with 20 percent digital skills, 60 percent smart devices, and 30 percent service adoption by 2025 to build smart citizens. Agrotech, Fintech, Healthtech, Smart Grid, and Edutech will be at the forefront of building a smart economy. He also stressed the importance of building a smart humane world through the humane use of technology. The stakeholders provided necessary suggestions, recommendations, and proposals for the implementation of Smart Bangladesh. They said that our country is technologically advancing. However, there are still many challenges, which we have to overcome to implement Smart Bangladesh. The payment gateway has now become a big challenge for freelancers in the field of international transactions. Due to this, payment is becoming a hindrance in many big jobs. Woman hit by van succumbs to injuries at DMCH Apart from creating a sector-based data-based digital system, it is also necessary to make it an interoperable system. This will create transparency and accountability in the inter-sector decision-making of the public and private sectors and create opportunities for timely decision-making in the creation of citizen-friendly services. Youths need to get more involved in developing their technical skills, from artificial intelligence to all the new technology that exists out there. Only then the citizens of smart Bangladesh will not be a burden to the country and will be a demographic dividend for the country. Among others, ISPAB president Emdadul Hoque, e-CAB general secretary Muhammad Abdul Wahed Tomal, BASIS director AKM Ahmedul Haque Babu, BIJF president Naznin Nahar, TMGB president Md. Kawsar Uddin along with the ICT Division, a2i, different educational institutions, business institutions, and media persons were present at the event.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak today (September 11, 2022) requested Russia to open offshore campuses of its technical universities in Bangladesh – to develop the IT sector here and upskills youths. He made the call at a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Alexander Mantytskiy, at the former’s office at ICT Tower in Dhaka’s Agargaon area. During the meeting, they discussed various issues, including cooperation in cyber security capacity building and introduction of inter-operable digital transaction (IDTP) system between Russia and Bangladesh Also read: 80% of travel market remains unexplored: Palak Besides, business and investment by Russian technology companies in robotics, machine learning, AI, AR and VR, land allocations for Russian companies in hi-tech parks here, arrangement of Bangladesh-Russia investment summit, participation of Russian IT companies in Digital World Summit here in December, and start-up exchange programs came up for discussion in the meeting. The Russian ambassador assured full cooperation in these sectors, expressing hope that the bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields including ICT will be strengthened in the near future. ICT Senior Secretary NM Zeaul Alam, Managing Director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Bikarna Kumar Ghosh and Director General of Digital Security Agency Khairul Amin were present, said a PID handout. Read: Nagad becomes world's fastest-growing fintech company after conquering local market: Palak

ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak has said Bangladesh has only explored about 20 percent of its travel market while the rest of it remains unexplored. "Many foreigners and tourists are unaware of the beautiful destinations here. I hope that with the growth of ShareTrip and Startup Bangladesh, the tourism industry of the country will grow at the same pace," added. Palak was speaking at a programme in Dhaka Sunday night, marking online travel agent ShareTrip's third anniversary. Also read: Hi-tech parks to help Bangladesh become knowledge-based economy: Palak At the event, ShareTrip handed over awards to market players for their contributions to the travel and tourism industries during 2020-2021. Sami Ahmed, managing director of Startup Bangladesh, also attended the event as a special guest. ShareTrip Co-Founder and CEO Sadia Haque and founder Kashef Rahman were present. Sami said: "I am excited to announce Startup Bangladesh's investment in ShareTrip. Startup Bangladesh proudly welcomes ShareTrip to the family, an organisation that has accumulated 50 percent of the country's online travel market in only three years." Also read: Judiciary to be fully digitized within 2 years: Palak Sadia said: "We are an active changemaker in the travel ecosystem. We aim to revolutionise the domestic hotel industry, which is still at a very nascent stage in Bangladesh."