Committee seeks lower internet costs, wider airport Wi-Fi service

Plans to expand Wi-Fi services at the country's international airports and to reduce internet costs were discussed at the first meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology on Wednesday.

Chaired by committee Chairman Kalim Uddin Ahmed at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the meeting reviewed the activities, manpower, achievements and future plans of the agencies under the ministry. Moreover, the committee deliberated on putting the unused assets of Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) to effective use and on expanding the Postal Department's parcel services. Discussions also encompassed spectrum management, the domestic telecommunications industry, broadband infrastructure, land services and measures to maintain accurate citizen addresses in the Postal Department's database.

Meanwhile, the committee underscored the need to develop an AI-enabled Bangladesh, expand digital payments, bolster cybersecurity and establish round-the-clock mechanisms for resolving customer complaints. Furthermore, it urged faster implementation of initiatives promoting safe internet use among children and secondary-level students.

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In addition, the panel recommended measures to improve Teletalk's service quality and to nurture ICT skills among young people, thereby supporting employment and a knowledge-based society. Nevertheless, as the meeting was the committee's first, its recommendations will carry weight only if the ministry translates them into concrete action in the months ahead.