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GP starts trial in all divisional cities
Grameenphone, GP conducted a trial run of a 5G network in all divisional cities of the country on Thursday, paving the way for taking digital connectivity to the next level.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (BTRC) Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder inaugurated the test run at GPHouse.
In partnership with Huawei and ZTE technology, GP activated the 5G network.
Earlier on 26 July, Grameenphone conducted the trial run for 5G for the first time in the country with some use cases in Dhaka and Chattogram. In its continuation, the telecom operator will now be rolling out 5G in eight divisional cities across the country for people to experience 5G connectivity.
In the trial run, 5G Internet speed reached 600 Mbps in Sylhet and Khulna, which is 10 times higher than that of 4G, while the speed in Dhaka was recorded at 1000 Mbps. Grameenphone officials expressed satisfaction with such speed.
Earlier on 12 December last year, state-owned mobile phone operator Teletalk first introduced the 5G network in six places in the country on an experimental basis.
Robi Axiata Limited was the first telecom company to conduct a 5G trial in the country in 2018.
In a keynote, Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Yasir Azman, said, “Empowering societies and creating opportunities for all through democratizing the power of technology is at the core of Grameenphone. With the imminent 4IR, we believe it is our responsibility to accelerate the ongoing digitalization and harness the opportunities by pioneering the revolution to enable the nation to achieve its vision of becoming a ‘Smart Bangladesh’.”
Being the first to spearhead the eras of connectivity from 2G, 3G, 4G to now 5G, they envision being the connectivity partner to transform Bangladesh with high-speed connectivity and advanced industrial solutions, he also said.
“Being a part of the Telenor fraternity, Grameenphone has the technical know-how and global use cases which can be tailored for our local market,” he noted, requesting all to collaborate to address the existing challenges and formulate industry-friendly policy framework that will help in the mass adoption of the 5G network.
In March this year, Grameenphone acquired 60MHz of radio frequency at the auction on 2.6GHz band for Tk3,360 crore. It currently holds the top position with 107.4MHz radio frequency.
Yasir Azman said it is not so easy to roll out 5G because an expansion of technology lies with it. “Nevertheless, we are ready to do all the expansion work,” he pointed out.
He also said, “There are many problems with our network. It is our duty to resolve them. We always want to provide customers with good services.”
BTRC Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder at the event said 5G will be more effective in enhancing digital connectivity in the fourth industrial revolution.
Stating that currently, 60 countries across the world have completed trial runs of the 5G network, he said, if this technology is launched successfully here, Bangladesh will be at the forefront of this revolution.
“The condition of our 4G network is very poor. People are pointing the finger at us for this. So, we all have to work together so that customers do not complain about whatever services the operators provide,” Shyam Sunder Sikder continued.
Talking about the ban on sales of new GP SIM cards, he said the BTRC has found GP’s failure to provide quality services to customers from its own report. “We will lift the ban if they ensure the quality of voice calls and Internet services,” he added.
Corporate
China Invites Youth from Bangladesh and Other Countries to Join “AI World Heritage & Zheng He Legacy” Poster Competition
Young people from Bangladesh and countries along the historic Maritime Silk Road have been invited to participate in the international creative poster design competition titled “AI World Heritage & Zheng He Legacy,” which aims to promote cultural exchange, world heritage awareness, and the enduring spirit of the famed Chinese navigator Zheng He.
Organized to commemorate the historical legacy of Zheng He and strengthen people-to-people ties among countries connected by the Maritime Silk Road, the competition encourages participants to use artificial intelligence and digital creativity to explore the relationship between world heritage sites and maritime history.
More than 600 years ago, Zheng He, a renowned Chinese explorer from Yunnan Province, led seven historic voyages across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. His journeys passed through the Strait of Malacca, crossed the Indian Ocean, and reached the eastern coast of Africa, facilitating trade, cultural exchange, and friendship among diverse civilizations.
The competition is open to young people from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and other countries. Eligible participants include university students, young designers, cultural and creative professionals, and individuals engaged in heritage conservation and cultural development.
Participants are required to create posters incorporating at least one UNESCO World Heritage element from their own country. For Bangladesh, eligible heritage sites include the Sundarbans and the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur. Designers may also draw inspiration from Zheng He’s voyages and heritage sites in other countries along the Maritime Silk Road.
The organizers encourage the use of AI tools in the creative process, although traditional drawing techniques and design software may also be incorporated. Participants must submit a design statement explaining their creative inspiration, the use of AI technology, and the significance of the selected heritage elements.
The submission period will run from June 6 to July 10, 2026, followed by a judging phase from July 11 to July 25. Winning works will be showcased in online exhibitions in China, while selected offline exhibitions will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Colombo, Sri Lanka.
A professional jury comprising heritage experts, cultural institution leaders, university scholars, and media representatives will evaluate entries based on cultural authenticity, artistic expression, technical quality, and communication effectiveness.
The competition offers attractive prizes, including a First Prize of RMB 3,000, three Second Prizes of RMB 1,000 each, five Third Prizes of RMB 500 each, and twenty Excellence Awards. Winners will receive certificates, while Excellence Award-winning works will be featured in offline exhibitions.
Participation is free of charge, and there is no limit on the number of submissions. Entries must be submitted digitally in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format and sent to the official email address chinanewsyn@163.com.
Organizers expressed hope that the initiative will strengthen cultural dialogue among nations, enhance appreciation of world heritage, and inspire young people to use innovative technologies to tell stories of shared history and friendship across borders.
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International Lei Feng Spirit Promotion Team from Sanming University Visits Liedong Middle School for Cultural Exchange
In a vibrant display of cross-cultural friendship and shared values, the International Lei Feng Spirit Promotion Team from Sanming University was invited to Liedong Middle School in Sanming City on the afternoon of March 25. The visit coincided with the launch ceremony for the third season of The Glow Project: Youth in Community Service and the presentation of the fourth phase results for the “7+1” Diverse Ethnic Fusion Second Classroom.
Foreign teachers and international students joined local middle school students in a lively gathering that interpreted Lei Feng’s spirit through a global lens while fostering dialogue on Chinese and international cultures. The event created a harmonious melody of youth-driven kindness and cultural integration.
This event successfully integrated the promotion of Lei Feng’s spirit with an international perspective, breathing new life into the spirit through cross-cultural exchange. By leveraging the platforms of The Glow Project: Youth in Community Service and the “7+1” Diverse Ethnic Fusion Second Classroom, it further strengthened inter-school cooperation between Sanming University and Liedong Middle School. The activity also deepened mutual understanding and friendship among Chinese and foreign youth, as well as among young people from different ethnic backgrounds.
Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, a Bangladeshi foreign teacher and head of the International Lei Feng Spirit Promotion Team at Sanming University, led the team’s participation throughout the activity. He delivered an inspiring speech titled “Small Actions, Big Impact: How Can We Be Like Lei Feng — A Global Perspective?” Drawing on personal experiences and real-life examples, He illustrated the enduring vitality of Lei Feng’s spirit on modern campuses and in international exchanges. He also emphasised the core values of selfless dedication and willingness to help others, noting that Lei Feng’s spirit is not only a treasure of Chinese culture but also a universally admired quality cherished by humanity. The speech resonated deeply with teachers and students in attendance.
International students from Sanming University also stepped forward enthusiastically to share stories about their home countries’ unique cultures, customs, and traditions. They engaged in warm interactions with Liedong Middle School students, who in turn shared insights about China’s excellent traditional culture and the distinctive cultures of various ethnic groups. The atmosphere was lively and harmonious, successfully building a bridge for Sino-foreign cultural communication and multi-ethnic cultural integration.
Participants expressed their commitment to using this exchange as an opportunity to carry forward Lei Feng’s spirit. They pledged to spread warmth through small acts of kindness, serve as ambassadors of cultural exchange, and let their youth shine brightly through dedication and cultural blending.
The event highlighted how Lei Feng’s legacy of helping others continues to inspire young people across borders and cultures, contributing to a shared sense of national and global harmony.
The new Executive Committee of Wikimedia Bangladesh, the officially recognized local chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation, has been elected for the 2026–27 term. A 9-member Executive Committee was formed through a vote by members during the organization’s Annual General Meeting on January 17. Subsequently, the new leadership of the organization was determined during the committee’s first meeting on February 8.
In this committee, Tanvir Rahman has been elected as President, Md. Delwar Hossain as Secretary, and Shakil Hosen as Treasurer. The other members of the Executive Committee are Moheen Reeyad, Shabab Mustafa, Subrata Roy, Dolon Prova, Mayeenul Islam, and Tanbin Islam Siyam.
Founded by Wikipedians in Bangladesh, this organization was recognized as the 39th chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation on October 3, 2011. Later, on June 9, 2014, it was registered as a non-profit foundation in Bangladesh under the Societies Registration Act.
Wikimedia Bangladesh believes in the vision of a world where every human being can share in the sum of all human knowledge. Considering the right to education and knowledge as a human right, this organization works toward the creation, collection, and dissemination of open knowledge at all levels of society. Although the content of Wikipedia and other Wiki projects is created by volunteers, the organization’s goal is to encourage this unique community in digital volunteering and support them in achieving their objectives.
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