Prime Minister's Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad. File Photo

DHAKA, Aug 19, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister's Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad today said data and connectivity are critical to Bangladesh's future, stressing the need for quality networks and affordable data-enabled devices to ensure people can fully benefit from the telecommunications sector.
 
"Without data, without connectivity, this industry means nothing. And without proper data connectivity, we will not get the best out of this industry," he said.
 
He made the remarks at the "Powering the Future: Robi Completes Dhaka Modernisation" event at Robi Corporate Office.
 
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam and Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari (Retd.) were also present.
 
Rehan said getting the best out of the telecommunications industry requires work on two sides: network and devices. He appreciated the efforts being made to develop networks, saying data evolution and network upgrades are a continuous journey.
 
"I'm sincerely thankful for the effort that you guys (Robi) have taken on the network side, and you both say this is just the beginning of the journey: data evolution and network upgrade, it never ends," he said.
 
Referring to Dhaka's importance, the adviser said the capital accounts for only 4 percent from a geographic point of view, but its importance is significant from population and economic perspectives.
 
He said there are countries where the total number of sites (BTS) is less than 5,000, while Dhaka alone has almost 5,000 sites, adding that the complexity and dynamics of sites involve spectrum management, noise management, backhaul and antenna tilting.
 
He also referred to call-drop problems experienced while travelling through the expressway, saying he had received complaints when the Prime Minister experienced call drops while exiting the expressway.
 
Rehan then stressed the need for suitable devices alongside network development, saying around 50 percent of mobile phone users in Bangladesh still use feature phones.
 
"Regardless, around 50 percent in today's world use feature phones," he said, adding that if the total number of mobile subscribers is 14 crore, around seven crore, or 70 million, people are still using feature phones.
 
"That is not right in today's world. That is something we have to change, and we have to change as fast as we can," he said.
 
He said the government had taken initiatives to reduce the prices of mobile devices by reducing import taxes on raw materials. He said duties that previously ranged from 26 to 33 percent had either been zeroed out or reduced to between 2 and 5 percent.
 
He said the initiative was taken with the objective of providing people with better devices at cheaper prices.
 
The adviser said local mobile manufacturers had subsequently shown him a bill of materials for an Android-based, data-driven smartphone that they believe could be produced for $50 to $60.
 
He said manufacturers had also requested support to include mobile phones in the EMI programme and encourage private banks to offer installment plans.
 
Rehan urged the mobile industry to use the opportunity to help convert feature-phone users into data users, assuring that the government would provide necessary support.
 
He also highlighted the potential of bundling AI platform tokens with mobile data packages, saying such initiatives could help the next generation gain access to tools needed to compete globally.
 
He said mobile companies in countries including South Korea, Japan and China have started bundling tokens for AI platforms, describing it as a major opportunity.
 
He suggested that AI platform access could be offered as part of data packages rather than focusing only on conventional 5GB or 15GB packages, saying this could significantly help students and the next generation.
 
Rehan said the modernisation of networks, availability of affordable data-enabled devices and access to appropriate digital tools should be viewed as a continuation of the same journey.
 
He said the government had faced and addressed various challenges over the past six months and remained committed to tackling further challenges through teamwork and moving forward together.