Use
of internet in Bangladesh
Introduction:
The
Internet is a global system of interconnected computer
networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a
network of networks that
consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government
networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad array of
electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies. The Internet carries
an extensive range of information resources and services, such as the
inter-linked hypertext
documents of the World Wide Web (WWW) and the infrastructure to support email.
Although
it could do much more, still availability of online Internet service is making
significant positive changes in the country. The benefits for business
communications, both with respect to cost savings and speed, are noteworthy.
Families with members staying abroad are welcoming the Internet for frequent
and cheaper communication. Researchers are getting valuable information quickly
at modest cost, which was not possible before. A multinational company source
stated that the company's monthly e-mail bill has been reduced to less than US
$275 from US $2,500 after the transformation of the Internet access system from
international dialing to VSAT(very small aperture terminal). The company would never consider such communications over
faxes or phones. Other business houses and entertainment stars are gradually
coming to accept the Internet as their ultimate communication tool. The ISPs
are carrying out special promotional activities to provide Web page services.
A new
social class is being created, mainly amongst the young generation who find the
Internet an effective tool for their career development and the globalization
of their thoughts and creativity. Many Internet users have stated that a whole
new world has been opened to them, they are getting a new source of knowledge,
and they are also making relations with many good friends and organizations
worldwide. But some say that going online is a very costly habit, which
sometimes appears as an addiction and causes a big waste of time. A group of
young people, notably from the affluent section of the society, is abusing the
Internet by using it mostly for entertainment, which is certainly not a healthy
practice for a poor country like us. But the saddest news is that Bangladesh
has yet to set up an academic network to provide Internet access to the large
number of university teachers, students, scientists, and researchers who play
vital roles in building a better nation.
What are the barriers, and what are their solutions?
For Bangladesh, the priority
should be to provide Internet access to academic institutions and to the
intellectual communities. Having an Internet account is the primary thing, but
not all: using the Internet for productive purposes and for real benefits is
the main issue. From the above discussions, it is clear that high service
charges by the providers, a poor telecommunication system, government policy,
and low buying power of potential clients are major barriers.
But a more congenial and
rational government policy may improve the whole scenario tremendously. A
democratically elected government should not be governed by sacrificing the
future of its people for immediate benefits. The current charge of US $8,625
per provider per month can easily be reduced to at least US $1,000. This will
encourage more providers and will ensure healthy competition between them,
ultimately reducing the online charge and improving service quality. Rapid
privatization of the telecommunication sector may remarkably enhance the speed
of renovations through open-market competition. A national unity between the
ruling party and the opposition is essential on this vital issue in order to
resist workers' unrest. Unless more competitors, more investments, and more
innovations are encouraged in the field, only government effort will bring
proportionate value for money in this sector.
Advantages:
1) Information on almost every subject imaginable.
2) Powerful search engines
3) Ability to do research from your home versus research libraries.
4) Information at various levels of study. Everything from scholarly articles
to ones directed at children.
5) Message boards where people can discuss ideas on any topic. Ability to get
wide range of opinions. People can find others that have a similar interest in
whatever they are interested in.
6) the internet provides the ability of emails. Free mail service to anyone in the
country.
7) Platform for products like SKYPE, which allow for holding a video conference
with anyone in the world who also has access.
8) Friendships and love connections have been made over the internet by people
involved in love/passion over similar interests.
9) Things such as Yahoo Answers and other sites where kids can have readily
available help for homework.
10) News, of all kinds is available almost instantaneously. Commentary, on that
news, from every conceivable viewpoint is also available.
Disadvantages:
1) There is a lot of wrong information on the internet. Anyone can post
anything, and much of it is garbage.
2) There are predators that hang out on the internet waiting to get
unsuspecting people in dangerous situations.
3) Some people are getting addicted to the internet and thus causing problems
with their interactions of friends and loved ones.
4) Pornography that can get in the hands of young children too easily.
5) Easy to waste a lot of time on the internet. You can start surfing, and then
realize far more time has passed than you realized. Internet and television
together of added to the more sedentary lifestyles of people which further
exacerbates the obesity problem.
6) Internet has a lot of "cheater" sites. People can buy essays and
pass them off as their own far more easily than they used to be able to do.
7) There are a lot of unscrupulous businesses that have sprung up on the
internet to take advantage of people.
8) Hackers can create viruses that can get into your personal computer and ruin
valuable data.
9) Hackers can use the internet for identity theft.
10) It can be quite depressing to be on the internet and realize just how
uneducated so many people have become in today's society.
Mobile
operators
Because fixed line penetration
rates are and are expected to remain low, most Bangladeshis' first experience
with the Internet is likely to be via mobile services. An estimated 90% of
Bangladesh's Internet users got their access using mobile services in 2010. Out
of the six mobile operators, one of them
Teletalk
offers
3G
services, others offer
EDGE or
GPRS GSM Internet service. The
sole
CDMA
operator,
Citycell,
offers
EVDO.
Broadband
Broadband Internet and e-commerce in Bangladesh
is slowly progressing. In 2009 there were 50,000 fixed broadband Internet
subscribers. Though broadband Internet access is available, the charges for
high speed connections are higher than in other south Asian countries, though
this is changing. In Bangladesh
Broadband is legally defined as 128/128
kbit/s, which is not in line with the
ITU's definition and many
broadband Internet services may not be considered true broadband
internationally.
WiMAX
Conclusion:
In
Bangladesh effects of the internet cut across all social spheres, influencing
individuals and society on personal structural, and global levels. The
recognition that the interface between Internet technology and society is a
complex and multifarious boundary. Navigating this boundary requires
observation from diverse perspectives, as well as the willingness to conduct
continuing research and to implement complex and flexible social responses
based on this research.
