United News of Bangladesh

In collaboration with the industry partners, Huawei recently published a white paper titled "5G-Advanced Technology Evolution from a Network Perspective – Towards a New Era of Intelligent Connect X" to provide guidelines that will help promote 5G technologies and develop a sustainable 5G industry. China Mobile Research Institute Vice President Duan Xiaodong, GSMA Head of Technology at Greater China Liu Hong, Huawei Cloud Core Network Product Line President Richard Liu, and Nokia Fellow and Chief Advisor of Radio Systems Harri Holma were present at the paper's release ceremony. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has officially announced 5.5G as the second phase of 5G and named it 5G-Advanced to derive greater social and economic value from 5G. Read: Huawei donates digital equipment to unprivileged children of Obhizatrik School Industry partners composed this white paper to clarify the requirements and technologies for its evolution from 5G and expedite its development on networks. 5G is essential for upgrading service experience and fueling the digital and intelligent transformation of industries. And the core network plays a pivotal role in 5G-Advanced network evolution. So, it is important to develop 5G core network architecture and technologies in line with the business models. To enhance network capabilities and meet ever-diversifying service requirements, 5G-Advanced will evolve both 5G architecture and technology. Read: APAC: Huawei to boost startup initiatives to build robust ecosystems Also, 5G-Advanced network architecture will facilitate cloud-network and computing-network synergies in better ways. Moreover, 5G-Advanced technologies will expand the application of AI, allow convergence of different RATs and different types of networks for unified support and enable tailored network services. This white paper will serve as a valuable reference for 5G-Advanced development.  Read 5G Quiz campaign: Huawei announces winners

Youth-centric brand realme will launch realme GT Master Series and new product lines globally on August 18 to celebrate exceeding 100 million milestone in smartphone sales within just 37 months. The launching event will be held online on realme’s official social media platforms, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. Also read: Realme C21 now 'Made in Bangladesh' realme GT Master Edition Series is the brand’s most high-end flagship designed by famous Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa, exploring different smartphone aesthetics. realme will debut other aspects of its TechLife ecosystem at the event along with its  biggest promotion of the year to thank all 100 million users which will include 61 markets, covering all product categories. Also read: Realme brings magnetic wireless charging MagDart realme is currently developing a diverse portfolio of 5G products with an aim to offer 100 million 5G phones in the next three years to the young users.  Besides, realme will bring more AIoT products as it has entered AIoT 2.0 development phase with advanced ‘1+5+T’ strategy. Read Vivo Y53s Smartphone Review with Price in Bangladesh

Avoy App has come up with a digital way through which a girl can travel safely through crowded places. BYS (Barisal Youth Society) and Plan International Bangladesh have launched the app on June 12, 2021, with a coverage area of southern Bangladesh including Barisal. Let’s get to know what this very timely endeavor contains. Services of Avoy App The emergency contact numbers After downloading the app from Google Playstore and installing it on mobile, if you enter the app, you will find the ‘Nearby Police Station’ option on the homepage. By using it, girls will be able to find the contact number of the nearest police station. Moreover, girls will find some important numbers, including emergency helpline numbers and Government information service numbers. These will help them take necessary measures against the prevention of violence against women. Read: Dating changed during the pandemic; apps are following suit Necessary content for awareness Every girl needs to know their rights. Accordingly, some significant national and international policies made at different times have been included in the Avoy app. It’s very crucial to know exactly what activities fall into the category of violence against women. The app mentions a variety of acts of violence, from eve-teasing to cybercrimes against women. However, in most cases, the injustices against women in Bangladesh remain invisible due to their shame and fear. They need encouragement and courage to stand up against all those misdeeds. Keeping this context in mind, there are some inspirational videos in the app. The girls will be able to learn how to respond to any misconduct instantly through those advertisements filled with motivational dramas. Read Grapes are Sour: Portraying the difficult experiences of women in our society Specification of Avoy app Users of Android 5 and above can download the app from Google Playstore and use it on their mobile phones. BYS released the app on June 7, 2021, and is currently running version 1.6. To use this app sized 3.01 MB, you need to keep the location of your smartphone on. The app can be run in both Bengali and English. In this app with a very simple user interface, the contact numbers are instantly moved to the phone dial and the phone call can be made immediately. Founder of Avoy app BYS (Barisal Youth Society) is the initiator of this very smooth and contemporary app. The organization, run by a group of young people since 2014, has been working to ensure the rights of underprivileged girls. With 10,000+ members and 600+ volunteers, they have completed 17+ projects, including 290 child marriage prevention and employment of 100+ of them. BYS has a plan to include 1 million girls across Bangladesh in the Avoy app. Read: Dangerous Android Apps That Can Steal Your Information Final Words Currently, the Avoy App will allow users in Barishal to contact their local police authority with the click of a button. But the goal of Avoy is not only to stop here but to spread all across the nation so very girls and women have easy access to security. More initiatives, like the Avoy app, are needed to assure the safety of women and restore the shattered values of society.

Chinese telecom giant Huawei has contributed digital equipment and other devices necessary to develop a smart classroom for unprivileged children through Obhizatrik Foundation Monday. To pull off this programme, Huawei has teamed up with Obhizatrik Foundation, an organisation working towards overcoming socio-economic challenges. Under this collaboration, Huawei has donated various items such as Huawei tabs, laptop, router; internet subscription for one year, students' dress, bags, stationeries, masks, and oxygen cylinders to Obhizatrik School.   Also read: APAC: Huawei to boost startup initiatives to build robust ecosystems The items were handed over to Ahmed Imtiaz Jami, the founder and president of Obhizatrik Foundation, at a ceremony held at Obhizatrik School today.  "Our recent initiative 'In Bangladesh, For Bangladesh – We are Here,' has been mapped out to reach those deprived kids. We believe, even if it is a small initiative, the continued effort will make a difference, and several small streams will converge into a vast ocean finally," Zhang Zhengjun, CEO of Huawei Technologies Bangladesh, said at the event. Read Huawei wants to empower ASEAN's green development  "Obhizatrik Foundation has been working with an unprivileged section of people for a long time. But during the pandemic, we were helpless because of the lack of resources and digital means necessary for online education. We also needed safety materials such as masks and oxygen cylinders to fight the pandemic. Huawei has stepped forward to help the unprivileged children, to close the digital gap and safeguard their health," said Jami. Read Huawei to invest $150 million in talent development  

Smart device brand Oppo recently offered a discount on its smartphone F19 Pro.  The buyers can now get the phone at Tk26,990, down from the original price of Tk28,990.  Read: Oppo Reno 6 Pro 5G Review: Is it worth it? F19 Pro is a mid-range phone with Dual-View Video and AI Color Portrait Video, new crystal silver design with Reno Glow Effect, 30W VOOC Flash Charge 4.0 and Game Focus Mode.  The phone is now available in two variants along with its Crystal Silver colour limited edition across the country at all the outlets.  Read: Oppo launches Renovators 2021 Emerging Artists Project Also, buyers can order any Oppo device from home by calling 09610997791. Home delivery will be provided free of charge, according to a press release.

Huawei Cloud recently announced its plans, including cloud collaboration and innovation programme to supercharge startup growth at the Asia-Pacific Spark Founders Summit held simultaneously in Singapore and Hong Kong. The Chinese telecom giant will take four initiatives to that end. The first initiative involves joint outreach by Huawei Cloud and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). Read: Huawei partners to build 5G automobile ecosphere Huawei will combine Cloud infrastructure with HMS to empower all industries – from media, entertainment, and finance, to the industrial Internet, healthcare, and education. Huawei Cloud and HMS developers and partners will benefit from unified accounts, one-stop development platforms, and one-stop app distribution and marketing. Their second initiative is all about continuous tech innovation. Huawei Cloud's Cloud-Native 2.0 solution helps enterprises build full-stack, agile capabilities by leveraging highly efficient infrastructure and leading cloud-native technologies. Singapore-based startup Nestia, online car marketplace UCARS, and Indonesian express delivery company have benefitted from the solution. Read: Huawei to invest $150 million in talent development The third initiative will help the startups in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) expand their business into the global market. Huawei Cloud operates 45 availability zones in 23 different geographic regions. Also, Huawei Cloud will offer a high-quality business ecosystem. It has built high-quality ecosystems for startups in APAC, covering consulting services, SaaS partners, software partners, as well as governments, and top venture capitals. Read Huawei recognised 2022 Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice for 3rd straight year "We work with local governments, leading incubators, well-known VCs, and universities, building support platforms for startups across many regions. We launched the Spark Program in APAC last year, with 40 startups joining us so far. We have already helped four of these startups launch new products and completely transform their businesses while helping eight enter new markets." Zhang Ping'an, senior vice-president of Huawei, said.

Smartphone brand, realme has become the top smartphone maker in Bangladesh in Q2 (April 1-June 30), 2021, with an annual growth of 258%, said Canalysin, a global technology market analyst firm. Besides, it reached the milestone of 100 million smartphone sales globally. Through strong performance realme has become the fastest global smartphone brand to reach this milestone within three years amid the economic challenges of Covid-19 pandemic, said Strategy Analytics, a market research consultancy. With a year-over-year growth rate of 149%, realme also became one of  the fastest growing smartphone brands globally, shows data from research firm International Data Corporation (IDC). Also read: Realme C21 now 'Made in Bangladesh' Besides Bangladesh, realme claimed first place in Philippines, fourth in India and Russia and fifth in the Europe region in Q2 2021. CEO of realme Sky Li said, “Young people, both our consumers and our staff, have taught us to dare to leap into the future and be trendsetters, giving us the courage to disrupt a well-entrenched industry.” Established  in 2018, realme is now the 7th largest smartphone brand with presence in 61 different markets worldwide while ranking at top 5 in at least 13 markets, said Canalys Estimates (sell-in shipments)in its Smartphone Analysis, August 2021. Also read: Realme brings magnetic wireless charging MagDart Li also said realme's next goal is to achieve a dual-100 million target - shipping another 100 million handsets by the end of 2022 and completing the same milestone within the 2023 calendar year. To achieve these goals, realme recently launched its flagship GT Series devices, ‘flagship-killer’ phone, to compete in mature markets such as Western Europe and China. The company is also evolving its vision of building out a full-fledged AIoT (Artificial Intelligence Internet of Things) ecosystem for global users within the next five years. Read Best Upcoming Phones in August 2021 in Bangladesh – Official & Unofficial

Walton has been honoured with the Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council Award 2021 for its contribution to all forms of games and sports across the country. The company has been sponsoring international, rural and traditional sports including cricket, football and hockey over a decade. Walton was recognised as the country's best sponsor organisation Thursday at a function held on the 72nd birth anniversary of Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal at the Sheikh Kamal auditorium of the National Sports Council (NSC) in the capital.  Read: 10 sports personalities, 2 organisations receive Sheikh Kamal Sports Award Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually joined the award-giving ceremony as chief guest. State Minister for Youth and Sports M Zahid Ahsan Russell presided over the function. Senior Executive Director (Games and Sports) of Walton Group FM Iqbal Bin Anwar Dawn received the award on behalf of Walton. Read: Akbar and Ruman among 12 to receive Sheikh Kamal sports award The NSC launched the Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council Award, featuring seven categories. Twelve persons and organisations including sports figures, journalists and organisers received the award. Alongside Walton, the recipients of the award include cricketer Akbar Ali, female footballer Unnoti Khatun, archer Ruman Shana, weightlifter Mabia Akhter Simanta, swimmer Mahfuza Khatun Shila, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Read Walton brings 64-megapixel penta-camera Primo ZX4

Huawei recently announced its plan to invest $100 million in startup support at its inaugural Spark Founders Summit, which took place simultaneously in Singapore and Hong Kong. The investment would go towards Huawei's Spark programme, which aims to build a sustainable startup ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) over the next three years, according to the Chinese tech giant. Huawei has been helping Singapore build the first startup hub in APAC since 2020 and has expanded the programme to many countries in the region in the past year. Read: Huawei partners to build 5G automobile ecosphere At the summit, Huawei also announced that this programme would focus its efforts on developing four additional startup hubs – in Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam – with the overarching aim of recruiting 1,000 startups, out of which 100 are scale-ups, into the Spark accelerator programme. Huawei Senior Vice-President and Board Member Catherine Chen said, "We all know how brilliant startups and SMEs are. They are the innovators, disruptors, and pioneers of our times. These companies account for two-thirds of jobs worldwide, create two-thirds of new jobs, and generate almost 50% of global GDP. And 34 years ago, Huawei was a startup with just $5,000 of registered capital." Read: Huawei to invest $150 million in talent development "In Asia Pacific, for the Asia Pacific has been our unchanged commitment for the past two decades," said Jeffery Liu, president of Huawei Asia Pacific. "Leveraging Huawei's global customer base and full-stack technologies, the Spark Program will invest over $100 million in the next three years, and provide comprehensive support to build a sustainable startup ecosystem and create new value for the dynamic region."

Short-video app Likee recently celebrated the fourth anniversary of its global launch. The application was officially launched in Bangladesh in July 2019. Likee – a global platform for creating, viewing, and sharing short-form mobile videos – now has more than 100 million members across the world. Also read: Likee bans 42,751 accounts in 5 months for violating rules While the app has encouraged users to express their latent talent, it has also been promoting entertaining and educational campaigns to create value through opportunities and education for users. For example, Likee launched the Victory Day campaign in Bangladesh in December 2020, which generated over 37 million engagements, and the Independence Day campaign in March 2021, which generated over 55 million engagements. Also, to identify talented creative users, the brand launched the "Likee Talents" campaign, which generated approximately 949 million engagements. Also read: Likee steps forward to ensure user safety, content quality Likee's educational campaign in Bangladesh – the #Steps2Learn campaign – has also generated over 4.5 million engagements. "In a time when the internet is always at the tip of our fingers, choosing the right community with quality content is very important for the users to make the most out of their virtual engagements," Joy, Likee's head of operations in Bangladesh, said. "Likee is learning every day about the local culture and trends in Bangladesh and is striving to design itself according to that to add more value to users' lives." Read Short video platforms are new way of building communities: Head of Likee Operations in Bangladesh