Robi and Huawei successfully conduct the first ever 5G trial in Bangladesh

DHAKA, July 25 (NsNewsWire) — Posts & Telecommunications Division, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in cooperation with Huawei and Robi, has demonstrated 5G technology for the first time in Bangladesh. Today, at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, the program was inaugurated by Mr. Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, Hon’ble Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser. The purposes of this event are to show how a 5G ecosystem can be cultivated in Digital Bangladesh and how to use 5G to respond to the economic transformation of Bangladesh as well as the operators. This next generation of wireless technology is expected to change the way of everyday life. 5G will play vital role in automatic driving, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Big data, Internet of Things, Smart City and network.

Present at the ceremony were Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, Hon’ble Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser, Mustafa Jabbar, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications & Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Hon’ble State Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Shyam Sunder Sikder, Secretary of Posts & Telecommunications Division, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Robi Axiata Limited, James Wu, President of Huawei’s Southeast Asia Region and Zhang Zhengjun, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Limited.

Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, Honorable Prime Minister’s ICT adviser, said, “Whenever there is a new technology, I want it. That is my habit as a techie. Even though we have recently launched 4G, we are talking about 5G. 5G is not a dream, it’s a reality now. We are the country to deploy 1G to 4G in the fastest time. Technologically, Bangladesh was the most backward country in the world. Now, see where we are! I have put pressure on the regulators to reduce the cost of internet by 99% within 5 years. Now, Bangladesh has one of the cheapest internet in the world. No other country has been able to deploy next generation internet so fast.” He added, “With 5G, my goal is that we are going to be one of the first countries to deploy 5G in the world. I want Bangladesh to relentlessly move forward. This is my promise to you that if you vote for Awami League once again, we will bring 5G in Bangladesh. Thanks to Huawei for demonstrating 5G with their technology.”

 James Wu, President of Huawei’s Southeast Asia Region, said, “I’ve always been impressed by the rapid progress that Bangladesh has made in ICT infrastructure, which is truly an example in the region connecting all people. Behind such achievements, we have witnessed that many policies have been consistently introduced and implemented to promote ICT development, such as ICT investment, startup community, high-tech parks, ICT training to students, and so on. Starting from 1998, Huawei has been honored to collaborate with telecom carriers, local partners and the ICT Division of Bangladesh. Our leading technology innovation renders high-quality products, and solutions to help the nation achieve digital transformation and enable a better digital life. We believe that, more and more Bangladeshi people will enjoy a better digital life with the advent of 5G.”

Speaking on the occasion, Robi’s Managing Director and CEO, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said, “Complete manifestation of Digital Bangladesh is not possible without latest technologies, such as 5G. 5G gives us once in a lifetime opportunity to rethink our Education, Health, Housing, Transport, Shipping and all the other sectors imaginable for the socio-economic development of the country. While we must aspire for 5G, we can’t ignore the dire profitability scenario that faces the telecom industry. Given the fact that only one mobile operator in the country is making profit, it would certainly be difficult for the industry to convince its shareholders to invest heavily for 5G. However, if the MNOs, the technology vendors, the regulator and the Govt. come together, I am sure we can find an amicable pathway towards the implementation of 5G in Bangladesh. Today’s successful 5G trial creates the perfect backdrop to begin the dialogue in this regard.”

Deployment of this advanced network will emerge between 2020 and 2030. 5G radio access will be built upon both new radio access technologies (RAT) and evolved existing wireless technologies (LTE, HSPA, GSM and WiFi). 5G will realize networks capable of providing zero-distance connectivity between people and connected machines. It will enhance all aspects of people’s life that are already influenced by the use of digital technology. Education, commerce, governance, health services, transportation, banking and all sorts of communications in general will undergo a massive change. 5G will be an enabler of disruption, as expected by experts and researchers. press release