Introduction:
Information and communications technology or
information and communication technology, usually abbreviated as ICT, is often
used as an extended synonym for information technology (IT) . ICT consists of
IT as well as telecommunication, broadcast media, all types of audio and video
processing and transmission and network based control and monitoring functions.
The term ICT is now also used to refer to the merging (convergence) of audio-visual
and telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link
system. There are large economic incentives (huge cost savings due to
elimination of the telephone network) to merge the audio-visual, building
management and telephone network with the computer network system using a
single unified system of cabling, signal distribution and management.
National
ICT Policy 2002 in Bangladesh
The National
ICT Policy was adopted in October 2002.
The vision
was stated as “Building an ICT driven nation comprising of
knowledge-basedsociety by the year 2006”.
The
policy addressed 15 areas as priorities.
1.
Training and Human Resources Development.
2.
ICT Infrastructure
3.
Research and Development in ICT
4.
ICT Industry
5.
E-Commerce
6.
E-Government/E-Governance
7.
Legal Issues
8.
Health Care
9.
Agriculture and Poverty Alleviation
10.
Social Welfare
11.
Transportation
12.
Tourism
13.
Environment
14.
Judiciary
15.
Regional and International Cooperate
Highlights
of the Policy Directions
Creation of
infrastructure facilities;
ICT legal
framework ;
Development
of the software industry;
Incentives
to entrepreneurs to promote ICT sector ;
Increase
use of ICT in the public sector for increased efficiency and services;
ICT
integration in all economic sectors to encourage transparency, efficiency, and
good governance;
Regulatory
frameworks for a variety of key ICT issues;
Creation of
reliable and accessible national databases;
Promotion
of ICT use, training, and culture in the public sector;
Development
of globally-competitive human resources in ICT to meet local and global market requirements;
Supporting
ICT industry through creation of various ICT institutions;
Creation of
appropriate legal infrastructure;
Increase
the allocation of funds to support ICT activities in the public sector;
Strengthening institutions for implementation of ICT policy;
Major
areas of emphasis:
Human
Resources Development
ICT
Infrastructure
ICT
Industry
E-Commerce and E-Governance
Implementation:
Human Resources Development
Assistance
to secondary schools for introducing computer courses;
Assistance
for introducing Degree and Diploma programs in ICT in universities and
polytechnics;
Programs
for secondary and higher secondary level ICT teachers’ training were
introduced;
Establishment of IT training institutions in divisional headquarters and
districts.
National
ICT Internship programme was introduced to facilitate the graduates’ readiness
for the ICT market.
Implementation:
ICT Infrastructure
Deregulation of telecommunication sector;
Connection
to the submarine cable in 2006;
Sharing of
Government-owned infrastructure facilities by the private sector for expansion
of ICT in the country;
Taxes on
access devices such as computers, cellular phones were reduced;
Steps taken
to increase telecom and Internet coverage in the country;
Reduction
of telecom tariffs;
More ISPs
(as a result of VSAT deregulation);
More telecom
providers were allowed in the private sectors;
Implementation:
ICT Infrastructure..Contd.
ICT
Incubator is established and the Government is planning for more;
Steps taken
for building a country-wide network (with the help of Korea Government);
Steps taken
to build internet exchange;
New
technologies are being adopted (such as Wi-Fi, WiMax, etc.).
Development
of a Hi-tech park in the country is going on (in Kaliakoir, Gazipur)
Implementation:
ICT Industry
Provision
for price preference for local software andservices in public procurements;
Facilities
provided in ICT incubator for the development of ICT industry;
Financing
for ICT industries through Banks and other institutions;
Programs
taken for marketing Bangladeshi ICT products in the world market;
Increasing
use of locally developed solutions/applications in the public sector.
implementation:
e-Commerce and e-Governance
ICT Act
2006 has been enacted; Formulation of rules andmregulationsare going on;
Increased
computerisation of the Government offices; Limited to low-level uses;
Increasing
web-presence of the Government agencies;
Increased
availability of information and statistics from the Government agencies (Such as
BBS, BANBEIS, Education Board, etc.)
Implementation:
Other Areas
ICT Act
2006 has been enacted; Formulation of rules and regulations are going on;
Copyright
legislation called “Copyright Law 2000”;
Use of GIS
and ICT-based systems for planning and monitoring of agriculture, land,
environment, water resources, etc (LGED, Directorate of Environment, WDB, BARC,
etc.);
Automation
of Judicial sector (Supreme Court, etc.)
Computerisation
in Armed Forces and law enforcing agencies;
Use of ICT
in weather forecasting;
Regional
and International Cooperation in the area of ICT.
Steps
yet to be taken
R&D in
ICT have to be encouraged;
Establishment of a world class Center of Excellence for ICT education and
research;
Establishment of ICT Cell in all Government agencies;
Allocation
for ICT in ADP should be increased;
Multimedia-driven education contents for augmenting education;
Extend the
coverage of telecom and Internet to connectthe mass people;
Development
of relevant Bangla content for local people;
Localisation
of content;
Appropriate
applications have to be deployed in Government agencies;
Introduction of G2G, G2E and G2C services;
Use of ICT
in healthcare (such as telemedicine);
Strengthening
of MOSICT and BCC;
Other
Developments
ICT in
PRSP: ICT is seen as an indispensable tool in the fight against poverty;
National
ICT road map/action plan: To develop a short, medium and long term National ICT
Action Plan or Road Map for Bangladesh on the basis of the National ICT Policy
2002, that provides detailed action plan for the
Use of ICT
in Government of Bangladesh
Development
of ICT sector
Development
of National E-Government strategy is going on under EMTAP project of Bangladesh
Computer Council;
Government
wide ICT network of communication, record keeping & archiving and inputs
for bidding process (under EMTAP);
Development
and delivery of ICT training for Government officials (under EMTAP);
Development
as a result of liberalisation in telecommunications: Currently tele-density is
27. (Mobile subscribers: 42.04 million, PSTN: 1.26 million)
Broadband
Policy: Aims at facilitating the growth of highspeedinternet services at
affordable prices.
Community
Radio: The government has recently approved community radio allowing non profit
entities to run community radio stations in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Telecenter Network: BTN initiated programmes to take ICT-based services to the
common mass through establishing CeC or tele-centres.
Revision
of National ICT Policy
Government
has initiated a process for revision of National ICT Policy;
A committee
headed by Professor Jamilur RezaChowdhury is working for policy revision;
Increased
participation of the private sector;
Opinion is
sought from all quarters to make a more development-oriented and
people-oriented ICT Policy;
Interested
persons or agencies are welcome to send comments or suggestions on ICT Policy
to ctpolicybd@yahoogroups.com The present policy is available at
www.bcc.net.bd.
The revised
Policy is expected to be ready by July 2008.
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