Table of Contents

Page No. 1. Executive Summary1 2. Statement of the Problem4 3. Objectives..9 4. Methodology Data Source 9

5. Study Limitations9 6. Analysis.15 7. Findings.26 8. Recommendations..27 9. Reference28

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Executive Summary

Submarine cable is a media or a way or a path by that information can exchange .In the language of telecommunication it is Information is the key of civilization. The benefit of submarine cable is that we will get the information of world easily but the network should be any time information exchanged, any where by any means. In Bangladesh there is no flexibility and mobility in submarine cable. But it should be. Bangladesh embarked onto the global information superhighway Sunday on May 21 2006 as Prime Minister Khaleda Zia inaugurated the submarine cable at its landing station on the beach of the Bay, opening up a new vista of opportunities for trapping the cheapest ICT services I all sectors. The $95.75 million submarine cable is expected to greatly improve Internet and digital telephone connections and make data transfer faster and cheaper. It is also likely to boost lucrative Internetenabled services like call centers, data processing, e-commerce, telemedicine and distance learning, industry experts said. The submarine cable is part of a million dollar international project being implemented by a 13nation consortium called South East Asia-Middle East-West Euprope-4. The project extends from Singapore to France with more than 12,430 miles of undersea fiber optic cables passing through Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and several Middle Eastern countries. The commissioning of the new submarine cable is a landmark in the countrys telecommunications and information technology sectors, as it will tremendously enhance the performance and capacity in the fast-emerging knowledge economy. This submarine cable would facilitate high-speed data and voice transfer and also increase the number of international communications circuits that will ultimately lead to an enhancement of revenue for the Government. The country will also have a scope for earning huge foreign exchange through leasing out through leasing out the unutilized capacity of the submarine cable. The submarine cable project would create the opportunity to introduce broadband data-transfer and call-center services at a very significantly cheap rate. Software could be made at low cost for export while e-governance, ecommerce and tele-medicine services could be easily introduced at cheaper costs. Through video conferencing, reputed international doctors will have the scope for helping Bangladeshi doctors diagnose ailments and conduct treatment or operations. In this new age of information technology, the global information superhighway has been built up with new computer and telecommunications technology. To get the benefit from submarine cable the network should expand in whole country. at a very

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cheap rate. Connection of wide roads must be all in educational institution For cyber caf they should get a special rate for submarine cable connection Telecommunication sector use the submarine cable as backbone. The foreign call charges should fix very soon to maximize the benefit. To get the benefit from submarine cable every body should included and participated in Taskforce regarding National information and communication technology taskforce. BTTB must not monopoly, the system must share with private sector to mobilize the rapid door to door benefit.

The government violated the law by allowing the state-run telecom monopoly to own and operate the countrys only submarine cable network. Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) built THE SEA-ME-WE4 submarine cable and its associated infrastructure from the earnings of its other telecom ventures and the law explicitly prohibits such practices of subsidization

For Research I want to do this report with the consent of my honorable course instructor Zahid Hossain, Department of Business Administration.

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1. Statement of the Problem

Submarine cable is a media or a way or a path by that information can exchange .In the language of telecommunication it is Information is the key of civilization. The benefit of submarine cable is that we will get the information of world easily but the network should be any time information exchanged any where by any means. In Bangladesh there is no flexibility and mobility in submarine cable. But it should be.

2. Objectives
1. To identify our tasks to get the benefit from submarine cable network 2. To identify the benefit from submarine cable network. 3. To identify the present scenario of submarine cable network in Bangladesh.

3. Methodology of the Study

Sources of data: For the report secondary data was used. I used the following sources for data collection: Journals Internet Newspaper .

4. Analysis

By using the journals, newspapers, wed sites data were used.

5. Limitations of the Study

[[

1) Lack of availability of information and data.

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2) Time limitation. Analysis Submarine Cable: Connecting Bangladesh to Information Super Highway
Submarine Cable Utilization Plan Background:
Bangladesh Telegraph & Telephone Board (BTTB) has been providing with national and international telecommunication services since its inception. Narrow band HF systems were being used for international communications. However, since 1975, BTTB has been using Intelsat Satellites for International Telecommunications for voice and data. International voice service is being provided exclusively by BTTB. Data service is being provided mainly in two different ways: through International Private Leased Circuit (IPLC) and through Leased IP Access to BTTB Internet Node. Telecom transmission media has changed with the passage of time from HF to Satellite to todays Submarine Cable. To facilitate a wide range of bandwidth at affordable price especially for software exporters and for ICT usage, BTTB has become a member of SEA-ME-WE-4 Consortium to connect Bangladesh to the Information Super Highway.

SEA-ME-WE-4 Submarine Cable:

ICT Policy 2002 demands BTTB to set up submarine cable connectivity to meet the ever increasing demand for broadband services and to meet requirement for growing use of telephones, internet etc.. BTTB took the opportunity of joining the SEA-ME-WE-4 consortium and a project to that end has been undertaken. As a signatory to the consortium BTTB is entrusted with all the tasks related to the submarine cable in the national and international level. It is hoped that, with the advent of SEA-ME-WE-4, use of bandwidth will increase sharply for international telecommunication because of the cheaper bandwidth cost. Submarine cable connectivity in Bangladesh will dramatically improve the volume and quality of data and voice communication, meet the increasing demand of international bandwidth. The delay factor in satellite

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communication which is a barrier for high speed data transfer will be eliminated. ICT usage and activities will be promoted. Available capacity for BTTB in this cable is 468,000 MIU* Km which may have a maximum of 64 STM-1 (10 Gbps) at the landing station. MIU is Minimum investment Unit which is equivalent to one STM-1. Out of BTTBs total capacity, 50,000 MIU* Km has already been contributed to the common pool of the consortium for sale. Sales and marketing of this bandwidth will be performed by the consortium in first two years time. The capacity of the cable will be enhanced further in different phases with minimal investment from BTTB. Minimum capacity unit for this cable is STM-1 i.e. BTTB has to utilize the capacity at STM-1 or multiple of that between any two landing stations.

Impact of Broadband on economic and social development

1. Broadband networks are important platforms for the development of knowledge-based

global, national, regional, and local economies. Broadband is an enabler of e-business and additional business opportunities for the private sector. Broadband allows organizations, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to realise growth through productivity increases stemming from improved information exchange, value chain transformation, and process efficiency. Broadband can improve the efficiency, availability and reach of public sector services in areas of health, education and government services, and have important demonstration effects in other economic sectors. 2. For consumers, broadband can enhance the quality of life through economic, social and
Broadband allows business users to have quick access to various applications that are not

cultural development.

available on dial up. With broadband, websites having large amounts of graphics are accessible in seconds rather than minutes.

3. The increased speed and quality of broadband also makes videoconferencing an alternative to face-to-face meetings. In short, broadband helps in (a) saving money by removing costs associated with dial up services, (b) increasing revenue by accessing new businesses and customers using online marketing tools such as catalogues, booking and ordering systems, (c) increasing flexibility and productivity by allowing staff to telework from home or other locations, and (d) expanding business through a content rich online presence.

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Utilization plan:
The main task of BTTB is to plan well so as to utilize the huge bandwidth available in the cable in a pragmatic and systematic way. BTTB held meetings and discussion with ISPs, BASIS, PSTN and Mobile phone operators and other users to ascertain their present and future requirement and to share ideas on utilization of the submarine cable. After fulfilling the requirement of the country, excess capacity in the main stream may be leased out to overseas operators. For the next two years, capacity can only be sold on lease basis and not as IRU. To make better and greater utilization of the submarine cable new services like IP VPN, Virtual telephone network abroad and various kinds of broadband service may be introduced in the country. Connectivity with different countries may be established through SMW-3 by exchanging equivalent SMW-4 capacity. This Utilization Plan for the cable capacity has been prepared to address the following terms of references: 1. To determine requirement for voice, data, video, entertainment and similar other broadband services by BTTB and other service providers for next 10 years. 2. To facilitate overall ICT activity to enhance the socio-economic growth of the country. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. To meet requirements specified by ICT Task Force and BTRC regarding VoIP. Follow the consortium guideline for marketing. Determine surplus cable capacity. Make effective use of the surplus capacity. Domestic backhaul and overseas connectivity.

Utilizing bandwidth for DATA and INTERNET:

Demands for international bandwidth have a wide range of variation in terms of capacity, protocols, purpose, use, national policy etc. Taking considerations of these aspects, the customer base needs to be segmented and a number of products have to be developed to meet specific

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requirements of the customers. Proper attention should be given to take into account the indirect economic benefits as well as lost opportunities while pricing these products.

IPLC:
IPLC is a dedicated secure digital point to point private connection between two locations (usually two LANs) in two different countries that allows transmission of data, large internet packets, real-time video applications like video conferencing and such other information communication service. BTTB has been providing IPLC service through satellite since long and has policy guidelines and tariffs. BTTB offers IPLCs with bandwidth ranging from 64 Kbps to 2Mbps. These IPLCs are usually provided on half-circuit basis and are established through INTELSAT satellites. Through submarine cable, bandwidth allocation for IPLCs will depend on the requirement and justification which may be from 64 Kbps to 2 Mbps. Higher bandwidth up to 45 Mbps will be allocated after scrutiny by BTTB. IPLCs may be provided on half-circuit as well as on full-circuit basis.

IPLC Strategies:
Submarine cable has created a great opportunity for expanding IPLC use. The objectives for the strategy will be as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Lower Tariff. Easy delivery of service and One-Stop Shopping arrangement (OSS). Enhanced support service. Encourage migration from VSAT to submarine cable through incentives. Encourage long term use Encourage bulk use. Encourage IT Enabled Services.

Access and Co-location:

At present all cities and towns are covered by digital exchanges. All Upazilla exchanges will have digital exchanges by the end of this year. So all telephone subscribers up to Upazilla level will have voice and Internet connectivity through the submarine cable. Rural growth centers will be

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brought under digital exchanges by installing suitable access network to extend benefits of submarine cable in to the rural areas.

Connectivity to private mobile and land phone operators is being further improved to allow access for all the existing subscribers and ensure access for the future growth. Establishment of two more international gateway exchanges is under process BTTBs present data access network is based on the existing DDN which can support only up to 2 Mbps capacity. IP Access network has to be developed where optical interfaces will be deployed in major cities to connect customers through optical local loop at higher speed. At present, DDN nodes are available at 41 districts only. To ensure a homogeneous growth of ICT in the country, Data network will be extended up to all 64 district HQs in the next financial year. Private operators in the country will be allowed to develop access network for data communication only Co-location facility at Dhaka, Chittagong and other big cities will be allowed for the purpose. Collocation facility in BTTB premises at Dhaka and Chittagong will be allowed for customers who require higher capacity like E3/DS3 or STM-1 or higher.

Policy and Pricing:

Pricing has been done carefully considering the following issues: a) Facilitate development of IT enabled services specially Call centers and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). b) Make IP bandwidth cost-effective and at the same time make ready BTTB IP node and develop it as the most reliable and most attractive choice to the ISPs so that they do not prefer connecting to IP nodes abroad through IPLC. c) Price for greater bandwidth has been made comparatively cheaper so that retail business shifts to other service providers. d) Termination charges, collection charges etc. to be kept low to increase greater utilization of the cable bandwidth and to facilitate penetration of broadband connections in order to meet the target set forth in the coming broadband policy.

Promotion

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Some promotional measures will be taken so that VSAT users are greatly encouraged to give up their VSATs and customers are encouraged for long-term commitment.

Redundancy and Restoration

For the purpose of redundancy and restoration of the international segment satellite earth station will continue functioning. Initially One STM-1 Internet connectivity is being established through west and another through east for redundancy in the main cable. For redundancy in the branch cable, a significant Internet bandwidth are being kept as backup through satellite to meet emergency Internet traffic in case of any fault or failure in the branch cable. To ensure domestic redundancy, both Dhaka-Chittagong and Coxs Bazar Chittagong microwave links are planned to be upgraded to 7+1 STM-1 SDH system. Initiative is going on for hiring dark fibre from PGCB between Dhaka-Chittagong in the first phase.

Strategies
The National Broadband Policy will act as a catalyst towards the growth and development of telecommunications infrastructure in the country with a view to materializing the vision regarding broadband services and its penetration. The policy measures and implementation means are designed to achieve a range of benefits which include but not limited to the tasks of achieving targets set forth in this policy in order to increase the number of broadband connections in a systematic and comprehensive manner.

1.

Targets

A set of targets consisting of broadband rollout, accessibility to ICT facilities and services to the people and development of local contents are given below.

1.1. A.
a.

Broadband Penetration Targets Immediate / Short Term: By the end of 2007

50% of the present dialup Internet connections should be shifted to broadband connection.

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b.

All Universities, Medical and Engineering Colleges and research institutes in both private and public sector should have broadband connectivity.

c.

All Ministries, Divisions, Attached Departments, Boards, Corporations, Semi-government and Autonomous organizations, Commissions, Statutory bodies should be connected to broadband network.

d.

All colleges situated at district headquarters should have broadband connectivity.

e.

25% of high schools in district headquarters and 10% of high schools at Upazila headquarters should have broadband connectivity.

f.

All local government institutions (e.g. City Corporation, Municipal Corporation, Pourasava) up to district level should be brought under broadband network.

g.

At least one Internet Exchange (IX) should be established in each of the divisional headquarters with interconnection with other IXs.

h. i.

All ISPs should be connected to any of the IXs. Incentive schemes for achieving the above targets, e.g. an universal broadband service fund will be created.

B. Mid-Term: By the end of 2010

a. All colleges situated at Upazila headquarters should be connected to broadband network. b. 50% of high schools in district headquarters and 35% of high schools at Upazila headquarters should be connected to broadband Internet. c. 10% villages should be brought under the coverage of the broadband network.

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d.

All local government institutions (Pourasava, Municipality) up to Upazila level should be brought under broadband network.

C. Long-Term: By the end of 2015

a. All villages should be connected with ICTs and have community access points. b. All colleges, secondary schools and primary schools will be connected with ICTs. c. All public libraries, cultural centres, museums, post offices and archives will be connected to broadband network. d. All Union Parishad Offices should be brought under broadband network.

1.2 A.

Local content development Short-term: By the end of 2007

a. All Government agencies should have their own websites published and updated regularly. b. c. All government websites should have content both in Bangla and English. NCTB (National Curriculum and Textbook Board) and similar agencies should make their syllabi available in their respective websites. d. The private sector will be encouraged to develop local hosting facilities.

B.
a.

Mid-Term: By the end of 2010

e-Government activities will be extended upto Upazila level. Electronic transactions will be introduced in the Government offices. All Banks will have online banking facility.

b. c.

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C.
a.

Long term: By the end of 2015

Capacity of local authority for local content development, translation and adaptation, digital archives, and diverse forms of digital and traditional media should be strengthened. b. Development of local capacity for the creation and distribution of software in Bangla as well as content that is relevant to different segments of population, including the non-literate, persons with disabilities, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups should be encouraged.

Implementation Means
To implement the above policies and to achieve the targets stipulated in section 6.1 above, the following implementation means will be adopted 2.1 Market Based Economy: Competitive market forces should be the principal means of achieving broadband objectives. Creation of an environment of competition in the field of broadband services shall be ensured. The users shall enjoy freedom to have multiple choices for access to networks and markets of different services, systems and carriers at a competitive and reasonable price. 2.2 Government Initiatives: Government should 2.2.1 include all players, relevant government agencies, private sector and consumers/users, in the review of broadband strategies. 2.2.2 act as key driver of broadband demand and deployment by promoting the use of broadband in areas such as government services and administration, security, tourism, public safety, education, agriculture, healthcare etc, and 2.2.3 implement policies that encourage investment in new and diverse communication technologies.

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2.3

Using existing facility (unbundling): To facilitate broadband service, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure maximum use of existing copper network and to encourage introduction of new technologies e.g. FTTx, WiMax, WiFi. To this end 2.3.1 Independent broadband service providers will be encouraged to enter into the market. The telecom operators, both fixed and mobile, should provide easy access to their networks. 2.3.2 Establishment of own network of broadband service providers shall be encouraged. 2.3.3 The operators having wire/wireless network should allow other broadband service providers to share their resources on commercial basis to increase broadband users. 2.3.4 In case of sharing of resources, the operators shall fix reasonable charges with intimation to and approval of the BTRC for using their wire/wireless network, so that the broadband service provider can deliver broadband service at an affordable price. 2.3.5 The existing cable TV operators will be encouraged to provide cable based broadband services.

2.4

Universities/Research Institutes Initiatives: Universities and Research Institutes should 2.4.1 Play their critical roles in imparting knowledge, providing education and training, in supporting the establishment of partnerships, cooperation and networking among them by establishing high-speed Internet connections. 2.4.2 Develop distant learning, training and other forms of education and training as part of capacity building by using broadband infrastructure.

2.5

Saving International Bandwidth: In order that costly international bandwidth is saved and is used for other unavoidable overseas communication services 2.5.1 Establishment of Internet Exchanges (IXs) in different parts of the country will be encouraged to provide local peering facility.

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2.5.2 All existing IXs (Such as BDIX, BSIX, BDNIX) and all future IXs should be interconnected. 2.5.3 All ISPs will be bound to connect to any of the IXs depending on its location and facility. 2.5.4 While connecting to a regional IX, the IX from which such connections are technically superior as well as cost effective and efficient will be given priority, and 2.5.5 The service and maintenance of the root server already hosted at BDIX should be strengthened. 2.6 Local Content Development: With a view to reducing reliance on the international bandwidth 2.6.1 Local content based services will be encouraged. 2.6.2 All e-government services should be offered in Bangla as well as English, 2.6.3 The defacto standard shall be the Unicode Based Bangla as adopted by the Bangladesh Computer Council. 2.6.4 The hosting of websites locally will be encouraged. 2.7 Management of IP Address (Establishment of a Network Information Center): The development of infrastructures, access network, local content, interconnection of networks will create a good demand of BD Domain and of IP addresses. To address the issues the following measures should be taken 2.7.1 A proper administrative authority, namely Bangladesh Network Information Centre (BDNIC), may be established to oversee the administration of BD domain names, to allocate and register IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) and to coordinate with internet-related international and regional organizations like Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), and

2.8

Spectrum Management: In order to streamline frequency management and allocation plan for wireless broadband services 2.8.1All the licensed and unlicensed frequency bands internationally recommended by ITU shall be reviewed in the Bangladesh context and allocated to promote

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wireless broadband services. BTRC shall take necessary measures in this regard. 2.8.2BTRC will explore and make available spectrum bands which are of no or less demand, so that the same can be used for broadband services, and 2.8.3BTRC will also develop pricing incentives for use of the above frequencies. 2.9 Fiscal Incentive: Fiscal incentives for broadband deployment that might include the provision of tax holidays, explicit and targeted subsidies, grants, pilot-project funding, low-interest loans or development funds should be considered. The recipients of such facilities may include the following 2.9.1 Manufacturers of the equipments related to Broadband services like DSL Modems, wireless modems, cable modem etc. 2.9.2 Local website hosting companies. 2.9.3 Local Language content developers, and 2.9.4 Those who establish/transact their business through Internet (e-Commerce). 2.10 Awareness Building: In order to promote concepts of broadband services and local content industry, the policy envisages a sustained and targeted media campaign run in conjunction with both the state-owned as well as the privately-owned electronic and print media. For this 2.10.1 The Ministry of Post and Telecommunication and Ministry of Science and ICT in collaboration with the industry will carry out countrywide broadband awareness campaigns through series of seminars, workshops, media advertisements and live demos, spreading the benefits of high speed Internet in critical and attractive applications such as tele medicine, etrading, e-learning etc. 2.10.2 Ministry of education will ensure the changes of curricula at different levels to incorporate Information and Communication Technology (ICT). 2.10.3 Ministry of Commerce in association with the Ministry of Finance will arrange for enacting the e-Commerce Act at the earliest. 2.11 Defence and Security: Defense and security interests of the country are paramount and therefore have to be protected.

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Regulatory Framework 1 Licensing Policy:

1.1 1.2 Broadband services may be offered through a proper license issued by BTRC. There will be no limitation on the number of broadband service providers. Any entity meeting the regulatory terms and conditions set by the BTRC will be entitled to get a license to deliver broadband network and service. 1.3 Existing licensed ISPs need not be issued a new license till expiry of the same for their current operations. For Broadband operations the license regime will be worked out by the BTRC. The BTRC in the process may consult concerned people. the

2 Tariff Policy: In order to make the broadband services affordable to large section of
the people as envisaged in this policy 2.1 Liberalized tariff policies in the field of telecommunication will be extended to encourage broadband services at minimum cost. BTRC will guide the operators /service providers in this regard. 2.2 The existing International IP and associated bandwidth prices will be reviewed by BTRC to arrive at a level where affordable broadband service can be delivered by the service providers, and 2.3 The existing domestic bandwidth prices will be reviewed and fixed by the BTRC at a level where the service providers will be encouraged to use local and national peering services and generate local and nationally hosted content. 3. Relationship between customer and service provider: In order to establish and maintain a customer friendly environment for the mutual benefit of customers and service providers 3.1 Service Level Agreements (SLAs) stating benchmarks for Quality of Service (QoS), as provided by the BTRC, should be signed between customers and Broadband service providers, and 3.2 SLAs should also be signed between the parties (operators/providers) involved to deliver broadband service.

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National and International Bandwidth distribution

To efficiently and cost-effectively utilize the National as well as International bandwidth that is currently available and will be available in future in the country from different stakeholders, the following actions will have to be taken 1. BTTB, as the owner of the SEA-ME-WE4 submarine cable should take necessary steps to arrange countrywide PoPs (Point of Presence) to distribute the international bandwidth as per need of the service providers. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The Domestic Data Communication Service Providers (DDCSPs) shall be encouraged to build their own data network to supplement BTTBs initiatives. After the commissioning of the SEA-ME-WE4 submarine cable, new licenses for VSAT should be given only after evaluation of the need. Proper backup of the international bandwidth should be arranged to deliver uninterrupted service. After full redundancy/backup of the submarine cable either by the public sector or by the private sector or by both, existing VSAT licensees will stop using their VSATs. International bandwidth delivery to the users should be independent of distance regarding domestic backhaul connectivity which will be arranged by the user himself or leased out by the bandwidth provider at reasonable price, and

Legal Framework
In order to bring all activities relating to and arising out of the broadband networks/ services under a legal framework, the following actions will be taken 1 2 Cyber related Act: Ministry of Science and ICT will arrange for enacting the Electronic Given the new scenario of telecommunications where voice, data and video Transaction Act and Cyber Crime Act (The ICT act) as soon as possible, and communication are merging, enacting a coherent Communication Convergence Act which includes, but not limited to, the various existing regulatory framework like The Telegraph Act 1885, the Wireless Act 1933, the Radio Broadcasting Act 1975 and 1992, The Television Broadcasting Act 1965 and The Telecommunication Act 2001, may be explored. Acknowledging the freedom of information as an important element of the modern World, the new Act may include restrictions to communications and broadcasts that are regarded as incompatible with national security and harmful to the society.

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Role of BTTB

The Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) has resources like MW/UHF towers, fiber optic backbone, and microwave links all over the country. These resources are under utilized and could be shared with private telecom operators for the augmentation of information infrastructure. BTTB and the private telecom operators should have joint agreement on the utilization of the under utilized resources like land, Radio Towers, Power Pylons, Cable duct etc on a commercial basis under the aegis of existing rules and practices. BTTB should shift its role from the service provider to the infrastructure provider.

Access to Information
Access to the information plays vital role for the people to survive in the twenty first century. Socio-economic development can only be accelerated if more people can have access to the information. Tele density is yet not at all significant. Internet Service Provider (ISP) with the existing bottlenecks of BTTB, catering information service. Most of the corporate organizations have online connectivity to the global trades through ISP broadband connection. The broadband Internet connectivity is limited mostly within Dhaka city and in some divisional cities in limited form only. But ISP faces acute problem to provide dial-up Internet access due to present capacity of telephone network of the country.

Connecting NII to Information Super Highway

Optical fiber link between DhakaChittagong route is recently completed. There has recently been a contract regarding the submarine cable through SEA-ME-WE4 and we expect a big bandwidth for the nation by the year 2004 with.

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 The fiber optic network of BTTB is not in a position to meet the need of other telecom operators, unless they are upgraded or expanded. Bangladesh PDB has ready-made power network all over the country that could be used cost effectively to hang/overlay Fiber Optic Cables for building up the missing links of countrywide information communication infrastructure. We must have broadband connectivity among the entire national establishment. BTTBs fiber Optic/Radio Network, Railway fiber Optic Network are important resources to effectively utilized for developing the Information Infrastructure in Bangladesh.

Technical Issues Related to ICT development

Inadequate telecom infrastructure Absence of necessary levels of skill and skill transfer process in ICT sector Insufficient bandwidth for country wide universal access to information Lack of standards and standard practices in the software development sector Non availability of an Internet friendly single Bangla Standard key-board and text processor for quick introduction of e-Governance practice, posting internet content in the web site in Bangla Absence of cyber law for full practice of e-Governance, e-Commerce, e-Health, combat Cyber Crime, and many others.

Technical Issues and the Software Developer

Our software farms are yet to adopt sufficient testing, quality assurance and reliability analysis, documentation of the products, they deliver to the clients. These issues hinder generation of sufficient confidence among the clients in home and abroad. The farms are to have ISO as well as SEI-CMM certification to achieve the confidence of the clients. They must practice software business value evaluation and software reengineering to avoid delay in delivery and payment. Software developers are to practice standard methodology for software development and project management.

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 Domain expertise is needed for development and management of different types of ICT-based systems and products. IPR Knowledge regarding software product is necessary among the developers as well as CEOs. Our local market compels the farms to go through non-standard way to supply the products to the clients. The clients do not allow appropriate amount of time as well as money for the developers Thus farms become helpless and do ill practice for the survival. So clients in the both public and private sector should be aware of these technical issues. BSTI may play a role to avoid this situation through awareness building between the developers and the clients.

Insufficiency of Bandwidth
The bandwidth insufficiency is a big technical issue for most of the nations because of exponential growth of ICT usage and demand. GII being planned by the developed countries needs bandwidth in units of Petabits (10 18). Optical fiber is capable of supporting these data rates. For Bangladesh, bandwidth insufficiency is more acute, because we are not yet connected to Internet backbone through fiber optic submarine cable. Sufficient bandwidth for connection to Internet backbone through SEA-ME-WE-4 consortium will be available to us by 2004 only. There are countrywide fiber optic backbones at the moment in the country, one possessed by BTTB and another by the Bangladesh Railway But due to lack of coordination and ego, full utilization of these NIIs could not be exploited. Resolving this technical issue at the NICTTF level may lead to help set up internet kiosks at the post office levels as promised by the present government as well as stated in the national ICT policy document. Another technical issue is lying whether the proposed expansion of UGCs BERNET bandwidth facilities to be provided to the private sector universities and national university affiliated institutions of higher education There will be revolution in the development of ICT sector through student groups studying in ICT area if this is done.

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Technology and Network for Speed and Data Rate

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology allows users to access higher bandwidth services through a traditional copper telephone line at speeds up to 1000 times faster than a traditional dial-up modem service. There many services of DSL like IDSL (144 Kbps), HDSL (1.544 Mbps), SDSL (1.544 Mbps), ADSL (1.5 8.0 Mbps), VDSL (13 52 Mbps). HDSL is in widespread use in many developed countries. But XDSL services are aimed at consumers rather than corporate level. Wireless broadband technology is rapidly growing in Bangladesh. It provides an excellent opportunity to quickly build a robust multimedia-capable telecom infrastructure. It may take 6 months to install, test and make operational for the users. Satellite (speed up to 622 Mbps are achieved by now) may be a technology of choice to connect remote locations such as district and Upzilla head quarters. A VSAT network using DAMA (Demand Assigned Multiple Access) technology may be set up for connecting entire Bangladesh to the Internet. Countrywide fiber-optic backbone of Bangladesh Railway, BTTB and the OPGW (Optical Fiber Ground Wires under high-tension power transmission lines) of PGCB (Power Grid Company of Bangladesh, a company under Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB)) under construction may be jointly used for connectivity to the Internet backbone with fiber optic submarine cable through SEA-ME-WE-4 Consortium. Under such an NII, utilization of IMT2000, the next generation cellular mobile standard, will be a good choice for access networks. A nationwide IP (using IPV6) network may be constructed, because it is capable of VOIP, streaming video through broadband transmission.

VOIP and Related Technical Issues

India became the first country in South Asia to officially permit VOIP of certain types in April 2002,. Pakistan is to open ban on VOIP. China actively promotes IP telephony and Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea allow VOIP in some form or other. In Bangladesh, it is yet prohibited though it is very cheap. If VOIP could be opened, the call centers may grow up in Bangladesh to earn substantial revenue for Bangladesh. A world scenario on call center is given below:

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Country Australia India

No of Call Centers 4000

People Employed 225,000 100,000 12,000

Revenue

USD 5.7 b USD 1.0 b USD 250 m

Philippines 70

Technical Issues Related to HRD

In most of the tertiary level of educational institutions of both public and private sectors, laboratory facilities with Internet connectivity is not sufficient and in some ones, Internet connectivity is not available at all. This is a serious issue, because without laboratory practice, only theoretical study cannot produce high quality ICT graduates. There is an acute shortage of technically sound teachers and ICT professionals to look after the laboratories and supervise real life projects. Many ICT graduates cannot have high quality internship training from the industry due to nonavailability of funds, insufficient number of standard ICT farms in the country. Another issue of concern is creation of no job opportunities in the government, public and private sector organizations.

Skill Development

ICT skill is a subset of the national education and skill development system. Skill development in ICT is nil in the primary level, minimal (only some basic concepts) in the secondary and higher secondary levels, and only mentionable in the undergraduate and postgraduate (very limited) levels, with limited industry-smell or standard embedded in it. In the non-formal private sector, the skill development in ICT is confined within introductory to intermediate level only, against the glossy advertisements and marketing campaigns. There is a complete mismatch between the word of mouth and the end result. We all know, halflife of an ICT professional is at best three years. So ICT professionals need up-to-date professional training to be funded by employers, which is hardly seen also.

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 If we want to develop the software and services industry in Bangladesh, our present ICT skill development system needs drastic modification. For a healthy ICT development environment, we need to develop an ICT populace comprising personnel of different levels of skills from awareness level to specialized skills.

Infrastructural, Legal, Regulatory, Policy Issues &Technical Issues

Increasing tele-density, interconnection of land telephone lines of private sector telecom operators with BTTB; setting up more XDSL lines; commissioning a national interbanking Gateway by BTTB for e-Transaction are infrastructural and policy issues. But there are many implications in the above matters, which call for technical discussions and decisions. The same are true for information security, network reliability, cyber crimes, database crash and data recovery etc. Although these are treated under legal framework. This is because, for these types of legal issues, sufficient technical involvements exist. Noninterrupted power supply is a precondition for the growth of ICT industry. Is it an infrastructural and policy issue only, and not a technical issue? We can easily resolve this technically issue by placing the software houses in some area where power failure will not create disruption of their normal activities by proper load management.

Conclusion
BTTB built the cables landing station in Coxs Bazar and from there it developed an optical fiber link up to Chittagong from the earnings of its fixed telephony, Internet and data connectivity services. This is what the law explicitly prohibits because the private sector is also offering all these three categories of services through competition. Therefore, the government cannot built the submarine cable from the earnings of the services

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which are subject to competition and it must take away the submarine cables control from BTTBS grip as soon as possible to comply with the legal provision and create a level playing field to foster the growth of telecoms and ICT sectors, sources said. Otherwise, the government remains vulnerable to legal actions for such a gross non-compliances with the law, which might even temporarily stall the cables commercial operations causing a great deal of trouble for the undersea cable users of Bangladesh.

Findings

1.BTRC

play more important role in spectrum management.

2. To establish an Institute of Information and communication technology for producing creating ICT professionals of international standards. Such an institute may also work as a center of excellence for conducting research and development in the ICT sector. 3. Establish High Tech Park 4. Joint Training program 5. Building up a National Information Infrastructure (NII): To reduce of the Digital Divide in Bangladesh and facilitate easy access to information, a service of VSAT network may be proposed to be installed around different cities of the country.

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Recommendations
1. To project ICT sector into a competitive environment. 2. To abolish BTTBs monopoly. 3.To establish market oriented regime, appropriate regulations, standards etc. 4. To provide universal access of ICT facilities to all users. 5. To open up VOIP for establishing call centers for earning foreign currency. 6.To put more emphasis on new services, e.g. wireless-based technology, IP technology etc. 7. To develop requisite skill in English. 8. ICT professionals are to have knowledge of IPR 9. provide Internet connectivity to public and private universities as well as to national university affiliated colleges.

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Reference
1. Service Marketing: Integrating customer focus across the firm; 3rd Ed, by Valarie A.Zeithaml and Mary Jo Bitner.

2. Marketing Management, Philip Kotler, (8th edition). 3. Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary: 5th edition, 1995.

4. Web sites: www. Information Technology & Bangladesh

www. Submarine Cable

Bangladesh Telegraph & Telephone Board (BTTB) Private Leased Circuit (IPLC) and National Information Infrastructure (NII):

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