Internet service at grassroots
On top of the extension of Internet facilities to 4,501 union parishads (UPs), optical fibre networks are being provided to 1,000 UPs in the first phase. Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) is installing the optical fibre connections. This is towards reaching efficient ICT access to the grassroots level. Broadband Internet service through the optical fibre is crucial to ensuring quality and speedy ICT service.
On the face of it, this is a laudable move overall; for an optimal utilisation of the service can ensure accelerated economic development in such vital areas as farming, trade, agro-based industries and self-employment projects in the rural areas.
The basic assumption is that an overwhelming majority of the rural people cannot afford Internet service and that's why it is being made available at the community level. Four outlets have been visualised: community centers, post offices, health centers and union parishads.
All this is very good. For all we know, computers at the union parishads are meant to be conduits for information gathering and dissemination. However, mere existence of facilities can end up being cosmetic unless we put trained personnel behind them. It's important to note that the disadvantage of widespread illiteracy can be obviated through access to information through the computer. But it is not enough to have the installations; the ancillary infrastructure should be there. For instance, computers at the UPs are being operated through relatively backward dialup system that takes longer time for Internet connectivity and that too at a higher cost.
Crucially, we need trained and committed people to operate computers and provide user-friendly broadband Internet services. There comes the question of competence on the part of the operators who are likely to be government employed persons. It has got to be ensured that those at the receiving end of the service get information of their choice and requirement. In other words, they should not be fed with information they might have little use for. Besides, repair and maintenance are an issue to be constantly borne in mind.
Comments