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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.
Grameenphone (GP) and bKash Partner to Simplify Financial Inclusion
Grameenphone, a leading smart connectivity provider in Bangladesh, has teamed up with bKash, the country’s largest Mobile Financial Service (MFS) provider, to enable seamless bKash account openings directly through the MyGP app. This innovative feature sets a new standard for accessibility and ease of use in mobile financial services.
The integration within the MyGP app marks a pioneering initiative, being the first of its kind in Bangladesh. This collaboration reinforces Grameenphone and bKash as major innovators in their respective industries. According to a press release, this partnership allows customers to register for bKash accounts by simply clicking on a dedicated section within the MyGP app.
With user consent and a few verifications, customers are swiftly directed to the bKash registration platform, where they can complete the eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) process. This streamlined procedure enables customers to quickly access a wide range of financial services offered by bKash. Initially, this service is available to Android users through the MyGP app.
New customers who open a bKash account via the MyGP app will receive a bonus of up to Taka 125, encouraging them to explore the diverse features and services provided by the bKash platform.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership, Yasir Azman, CEO of Grameenphone, stated, “At Grameenphone, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Our collaboration with bKash reflects our customer-centric approach and our commitment to promoting financial inclusion and digital empowerment to create a Smart Bangladesh.”
Kamal Quadir, Founder and CEO of bKash, echoed this sentiment, adding, “Financial inclusion and inclusive services have been part of bKash’s DNA since its inception. This innovative joint initiative with Grameenphone will allow customers to instantly access various financial services, contributing to the digital ecosystem. This increased accessibility will enable more customers to embark on Bangladesh’s cashless journey.”
Startup Bangladesh Limited has unveiled a strategic investment of BDT 1 crore in Pulse Tech Ltd, a move set to revolutionize digital healthcare in Bangladesh. This significant investment signals a profound commitment to bolstering the nation’s digital healthcare sector.
During a formal signing ceremony in Dhaka, attended by key figures including Md. Shamsul Arefin, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Startup Bangladesh, and Senior Secretary of the ICT Division, alongside Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh, the investment was officially announced. Also present were Arefeen Raafi Ahmed, Co-founder and Managing Director, and Kazi Ashikur Rasul, Co-founder and CEO of Pulse Tech Ltd, along with senior management.
Pulse Tech Ltd. is renowned for its innovative solutions tailored for the retail pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh. Their comprehensive B2B SaaS platform empowers retail pharmacies to efficiently source products, manage inventory, and track transactions in a seamless digital environment. With a mission to eliminate counterfeit and expired products from the market, Pulse Tech aims to transform retail pharmacies into comprehensive healthcare hubs, offering services such as diagnostic test booking, telemedicine, and medicine supply.
Md. Shamsul Arefin underscored the strategic importance of the investment, stating, “Investing in Pulse Tech Ltd. is a strategic move to enhance our national healthcare infrastructure. Through this investment, we aim to enable Pulse Tech to innovate and expand its services in the retail pharma industry, crucial for advancing healthcare technology in Bangladesh.”
Sami Ahmed, Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh, echoed this sentiment, expressing, “We believe in the transformative potential of technology and are proud to partner with Pulse Tech as they drive digital healthcare innovation. Our investment reflects our confidence in their vision and our commitment to nurturing startups vital for technological advancement and economic growth.”
With this injection of capital, Pulse Tech is poised to accelerate technology development and expand operations, focusing on improving the efficiency of retail pharmacies and accessibility of authentic medicines nationwide. The investment from Startup Bangladesh is anticipated to have a significant impact on the healthcare sector, providing state-of-the-art solutions to meet the evolving needs of the Bangladeshi population.
Arefeen Raafi Ahmed, Co-founder and Managing Director of Pulse Tech Ltd., expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Startup Bangladesh as our newest investor. Their guidance and support will be instrumental in helping us achieve our organizational goals and positively impact Bangladesh’s retail pharmaceutical industry and healthcare landscape.”
This strategic alliance between Startup Bangladesh and Pulse Tech Ltd. marks a pivotal step towards a technologically advanced and health-conscious Bangladesh.
Following the merger of EXIM and Padma, BASIC Bank is now set to merge with City Bank. The decision was reached during a meeting held today (8 April) at the Bangladesh Bank. Sources within the central bank revealed that the merger will be voluntary. This significant decision emerged from a meeting between Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rauf Talukdar and City Bank’s Chairman Aziz Al Qaiser and Managing Director (MD) Mashrur Arefin.
Previously, on 19 March, the board of City Bank received a recommendation to merge with Basic Bank. Subsequently, discussions ensued between the boards of both City Bank and Basic Bank. Officials from both banks engaged in internal discussions regarding this matter. Despite the merger, sources indicate that the two banks will continue to report separate financials for the next three years.
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