Countrywide digital tele network by next year: PM

The country will come under a digital telephone network by the year 2004, declared Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday.

"We have digitalised all analogue telephone exchanges at districts. And we hope to bring all thanas under digital telephone network by 2004," she said, while switching on 1,39,000-line digital exchange for subscribers in and outside Dhaka.

Moreover, 5,00,000 telephones would be installed in Dhaka and in other important districts to allow more people have access to telecommunications, the premier said.

She also assured 2,50,00 cellular phones would be provided through the state-owned Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) by June next year. "The mobile phone service will be launched by the government due to its growing popularity and use."

Khaleda said her government had set up a telecommunication regulatory commission for the development of telecom infrastructure and the expansion of networks, bringing transparency and accountability in the sector.

She switched on the expansion programme, aiming to increase the number of new lines to 2.66 lakh, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and greeted President Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabahan through video conferencing.

The funds for the expansion project has been raised by floating telecom bonds, said telecom ministry officials.

The BTTB had awarded the $19.5 million job to a Canada-Turkey joint venture, Nortel Networks Netas. M Sait Gozum, president of Netas, flew in from Turkey to attend the ceremony.

Khaleda however warned the BTTB officials against failure to ensure proper service to its subscribers. "The telephone, electricity, water and gas services are not complimentary. You have to satisfy the subscribers through prompt service and without any harassment."