The fifth-generation (5G) technology for broadband cellular network will be launched in Bangladesh on a trial basis this year, said Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar. The minister revealed the information at 'BSRF Dialogue' organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Media Centre of the Secretariat on Wednesday. “All preparations are complete. You’ll be happy to know that state-owned telecom operator Teletalk will launch the fifth-generation (5G) technology on trial run,” Mostafa Jabbar said, adding that the government will arrange an auction for 5G spectrum for other operators in 2022. Jabbar said Teletalk has already prepared five sites. “We’ll expand it in 2022 and a spectrum auction will be held in the first quarter of 2022. Hopefully, all operators will be able to develop 5G technology from 2022.” Read: 5G to be rolled out through Teletalk by December: Jabbar

Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar has said the proposed Bangabandhu Satellite-2 would be launched to space in time. “All preparations have been completed to launch Bangabandhu Satellite-2 into space within the stipulated time under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said. The minister said this while addressing a discussion at a city’s hotel on Thursday night, said a PID handout on Friday. Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) arranged the function on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the broadcasting of the country’s private satellite television channels through Bangabandhu Satellite-1. Read: Work on to build Bangabandhu Satellite-2: Mustafa Jabbar Mustafa said the Posts and Telecommunications Division started works to send the Bangabandhu Satellite-2 into space, introduce 5G network and install third submarine cable connectivity in a bid to implement the pledges made in the election manifesto. He expressed hope that the works would be completed within the stipulated time. The minister said Bangladesh became the 57th country that launched the first satellite by sending Bangabandhu satellite-1 to space. He said 2021 is the final year of the country’s transformation into Digital Bangladesh as per the pledge made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 12, 2008.  He said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sowed the seeds of Digital Bangladesh, by setting up a ground satellite centre at Betbunia, acquiring the ITU and IPU membership, establishing T&T Board and introducing technology-based education. Read: Mustafa Jabbar for tough action against digital criminals Mustafa said the prime minister provided licenses to four mobile operator companies breaking monopoly business in this sector, withdrew VAT and tax on computers, introduced the internet through VSAT, and has been working to establish Bangladesh as a software export country. "Everyone is proud to be able to use their country's satellite," he said. Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud also spoke at the function as the chief guest, while PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus as the special guest. Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Afzal Hossain, President of Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) Anjan Chowdhury were virtually present at the event presided over by BSCL chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood.

Nagad, the digital financial service of Bangladesh Post Office, has officially started the process of bringing the users of Grameenphone Limited under this state-of-the-art innovation.

Terming late president Ziaur Rahman ‘an agent of Pakistan’, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar on Tuesday said Zia was the lead conspirator in the plot to assassinate Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman', on August 15, 1975.