Two firms to provide internet in 2,600 unions

The government has awarded Summit Communications and Fiber@Home the task of providing high-speed internet connections in 2,600 unions across Bangladesh.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) yesterday approved a draft public-private partnership agreement with the internet infrastructure providers for revenue sharing.

The deal also includes the maintenance, upgradation, replacement, operation and connection of broadband internet infrastructure, namely optical fibre cable installed under the government project titled "Development of National ICT Infra-network for Bangladesh Government Phase-III (Info-Sarker Phase-3)".

Summit Communications will provide internet to 1,297 unions while Fiber@Home will cover 1,307 unions, according to the statement from the finance ministry.

Phase three of the Info-Sarker project aims to ensure internet access for 60 per cent of the country's population by establishing broadband connections in the 2,600 unions.

It also seeks to enhance the distribution of technical knowledge and provide high-speed internet facilities at the union level for connecting Union Digital Centres.