Broadband connections skyrocket

The number of broadband internet connections has skyrocketed since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic thanks to the inclusion of rural areas under the service amid the ongoing health crisis which prompted affordable and faster internet consumption across the country.

The internet connections through broadband jumped 50 per cent year-on-year in November to reach 8.6 million, according to data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). 

The number of connections witnessed a leap in March, when Bangladesh first reported its first coronavirus infection, as it added over 23 lakh new subscribers in one month.

"The main reason for the increase in the number of subscribers is the availability of broadband connections in rural areas. This is due to changes in people's lifestyles during the pandemic," said MA Hakim, president of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh

"Now the people of the village also need fast internet," he added.

According to Hakim, over 1,500 internet service providers are providing the service across the country.

The number of mobile phone subscribers rose around 2.5 per cent year-on-year to 16.83 crore in November.

The number of mobile phone subscribers rose to 11.05 crore in November this year, up from 9.90 crore in November last year.