Bangladesh has achieved unprecedented success in spreading the internet across the country, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar said today.

"In the last 14 years, we have not only created a highway of digital connectivity but also reduced the price of the internet from Tk 27,000 to Tk 60 per Mbps," he said.

The minister said this while addressing as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the 16th conference of South Asian Network Operators Group - SANOG 39 and BDNOG.

ISPAP and BDNOG organized the event at Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

Digital inequality has been removed by setting one country one rate, he said.

In 2008, internet usage in the country was 7.5 Gbps, which has now increased to 41,000 Gbps. Instead of 800,000 internet users at that time, the number of internet users now stands at 125 million, the minister said.

"Network security is essential for digital security. We are also very focused on this," he said.

For this reason, the import of IPv4 and IPv6-enabled routers has been imposed at the same time. The government is committed to implementing IPv6 for digital security, he added.

"We are working to ensure digital security, data security, digital security of individuals and the state, besides being at the forefront of building the highway of digital technology," the minister also said.

"Traditional services are being transformed into digital services due to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's far-reaching vision and dynamic leadership. Train tickets have been sold 100 percent online this Eid. There has been a complete digital transformation of the land system," he said.

"All these transformations are possible through the participation of all. The Internet has become the source of life. Bangladesh, which is 324 years behind in technology, has set an exemplary example in the world today," said Jabbar.

The minister said the government is working to bring high-speed internet to the doorsteps of every person in the country. By 2023, there will be no union that does not have access to high-speed internet. "We have been able to reach 4G network for mobile phones in 98 percent of the country. In 2021, we introduced 5G technology."

A total of 11 network engineers, including four from Bangladesh, were awarded fellowships at the conference.

As part of the conference, a workshop of network engineers will be held at Hotel InterContinental for the next four days. More than 300 engineers from six South Asian countries are participating.