5G to connect the entire population: Jabbar

The 5G (fifth generation) is going to play a very important role in changing almost everything in Bangladesh, including industry and education, and it will connect the whole population to very high-speed internet, said Telecom Minister Mustafa Jabbar today.

He said the country is moving ahead with a new vision for 2041 titled 'Smart Bangladesh'. The primary objective of the telecommunications industry is to connect the whole population of Bangladesh.

He was speaking through a virtual platform at a global forum, styled "Connectivity: Innovate for Impact" organised by Chinese tech-giant Huawei.

In the forum, Huawei has signed a global commitment to join the International Telecommunication Union's Partner Connect digital alliance. This initiative will bring connectivity to about 120 million people in remote areas in more than 80 countries by 2025.

The forum explored how ICT innovation could unleash the business and social value of connectivity and drive sustainability in the era of digital economy.

Liang Hua, chairman of Huawei, said connectivity will be more than just a tool for convenient communications.

"Together with digital technologies, like cloud and artificial intelligence (AI), connectivity will help bring everyone into the digital world, and provide them with access to more information and skills, better services, and wider business opportunities. This will, in turn, drive further social and economic development."