State-owned mobile network operator (MNO) Teletalk has been suffering from cash crunch, of late. Reports say that the operator has not been able to launch the planned fourth generation (4G) services in time following the crisis despite securing the bragging rights in February last as a state-enterprise to introduce the much-awaited service even before the private MNOs, who all have launched the service by this time. The public sector operator has now sought four more months to roll out the 4G mobile network services in divisional cities across the country.
Attending a recent parliamentary committee meeting on special invitation, Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Mustafa Jabbar said the public sector MNO will update its software prior to launching the faster mobile network service in two phases by August this year. Teletalk high-ups also joined the meeting and informed about collecting from internal sources Tk 2.0 billion, which they think will be enough to set up Evolved Node B (abbreviated as eNodeB), as required for 4G network, at a total of 1,100 sites within next four months.
Also, the parliamentary standing committee of the ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and ICT has asked Teletalk during the meeting to start taking initiative concurrently so that it can introduce the fifth generation (5G) service ahead of the other operators. As for argument, the committee said procurement for public enterprises usually takes a lot of time while moving forward without investment is difficult. Hence Teletalk should step forward now rather than later as part of its preparation to introduce 5G services well ahead of others, the committee observed.
The minister, meanwhile, in a recent directive to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) said that preparations should be afoot to launch 5G telecom services in the country by December 16, 2021. Bangladesh lagged behind other neighbouring countries in introducing 4G services, he pointed out, adding, the country cannot repeat the same in case of introducing the 5G service. Hence, he said, this service has to be introduced in Bangladesh by the year 2021 although most of the countries plan to introduce the same by 2020.
Calling upon the BTRC to start taking preparation in this regard, the minister said no country can make progress without timely initiative in the ICT and telecom sectors. He also called for quality services in respective fields and areas to continue the pace of development, progress and prosperity. While the minister's comments are commendable in terms of good spirit and greater willingness, question arises over the timeliness and practicability of his move - especially for 5G services.
There is no doubt that fifth generation wireless systems, abbreviated as 5G network, will vastly improve data speeds on mobile devices and will help free up much-needed bandwidth as it is the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, offering more reliable connections on smartphones and other devices than ever before. 5G networks will help power a huge rise in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, providing the infrastructure needed to carry huge quantity of data, allowing for a smarter and more connected world.
With development well underway, 5G networks are expected to officially launch across the world by 2020, working alongside existing 3G and 4G technology to provide speedier connections. But experts, industry insiders and even a section of the committee members, amid subscribers' growing frustration over existing 3G services, have expressed doubt as to whether Teletalk can really offer the anticipated 4G service in time even after the extended four months - let alone 5G service.
It is understandable that having lagged behind its rivals in making available 4G services in time coupled with its previous struggle for providing users with optimum level of 3G services compared to the private MNOs, state-owned Teletalk may attempt to exert greater effort to set parameters for the development of the new 5G network.
Reaping maximum benefits from among the available networks, infrastructures and facilities should be the basic norm, if not a priority, for a country of Bangladesh's stature where resources, if not really the opportunities, are scarce and limited. Hence the minister, his ministry machineries and the very state enterprise in question i.e. Teletalk should think about the reality-check by way of prioritising means, scheme and doable in the context of reality and need-assessment rather than chasing 5G-like impractical options, untimely adventures and aimless glories.