1. IP SOLUTIONS FOR
RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH
Tasmiah Binte Zilani
ID: 071-649-556
Course Name: ETE-605, Dept. of ETE, North South University.
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Information Technology encompasses the broad fields
of data/information processing and communications by
means of computer and telecommunications techniques
and tools and is being increasingly used for
organizational/personal information processing in all
sectors of economy and society. A dependable
communication system is essential for efficient
management and operation of the public and private
sectors. But there is a shortage of communication between
locally generated information needed for efficient
performance of these sectors.
Telecommunication is the main backbone of a country
without which a country can’t sustain a good development.
Despite the slow development of telecom services in the
past improved commitment, guaranteed funding and
beginning of a long term planning by the government shows
that the ongoing telecommunication projects will be
successful and the overall communication infra-structure
will be stronger. Telecommunication facility will be made
available to every segment of the society and all of the
present and emerging services will be provided at an
affordable cost.
At present people of Bangladesh are using PSTN,
cellular system for both local and international calls. But
recently the most popular topic of telecommunication sector
is VoIP. This was supposed to be used illegally by few
companies or organizations in the recent time. But as the

2. current government has declared it legal by maintaining
some terms and regulations so it is going to boost the total
tele-communication structure therefore the whole economy
as it’s the easier way to communicate locally and also
internationally.
VoIP stands for “Voice over Internet Protocol” that is
simply the transmission of voice traffic over IP-based
network, is rapidly becoming a top choice for people
wishing to avoid costly telephone service. It allows us to
make voice calls using a broadband internet connection
instead a regular/analog phone system. The way it works is
similar to email; most providers offer unlimited
long-distance calling for a low monthly fee or for a low
per-minute rate. Where long-distance fees can run high
very quickly through traditional phone providers, VoIP can
provide the same types of calls for a much lower rate. In
addition, wireless “hot spots” in locations as
airports/parks/restaurants/malls can allow us to connect
to the internet and may enable us to use VoIP service
wirelessly. VoIP is the calling choice of the future, and
providers are already scrambling to provide the best service
for the best price. The main VoIP services are:
Able to call other people using the same service in the
same network
Able to call anyone who has a telephone number
including local, long distance, mobile and
international numbers.
Working only over our computer or special VoIP
telephone set.
Able to use traditional phone connected to a VoIP
adapter.
The best feature of it is its flexibility. It can be used as a
phone line and also the internet service be added. It is easier
to make calls by VoIP again more features like high speed data

3. transfer, video conferencing, reliability and good QoS. As
companies compete for business, rates and service options
continue to improve. VoIP is the calling choice of the future,
and providers are already scrambling to provide the best
service for the best price. Its working procedure is also simple.
Bangladesh is an under-development country of the
world. Of which about 75% of the total population (14 million)
lives in rural areas, with about 44% still below the poverty
line. So to build up an economically solvent Bangladesh first
we have to solve the need of rural people’s and technology can
provide a huge effort in that case. So there is a strong
recognition that ICT has an important role to play in each
sector of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's telecom infra-structure still remains
fragmented & concentrated in major cities. As digital
technology and globalization move forward, the
telecommunication industry is becoming intertwined/
converged with broad-casting & media. So the strategy for
telecommunications should be based on convergence of
technology options. The main communication methods in
Bangladesh are:
1. PSTN Telephone lines
2. Mobile phones
3. Cable & Satellite link
PSTN lines are provided by BTTB. But because of its
inadequate service and long processing its use is becoming
obsolete. And mobile phones are taking the place of land lines.
Satellite communication is used for TV & radio links. Now a
day VoIP is the most important sector in Bangladesh. VoIP
services are much popular for its lower cost than the ordinary
phone lines. As it provides fast and better connectivity with
cheaper rate to abroad so it can be used to develop
Bangladesh’s current communication and economic position
to a great extent. VoIP can be used directly or indirectly to

4. improve the condition a lot. At first we have to use it for
solving & developing our basic needs i.e.: food, education and
medical.
Now we would like to see how VoIP can be implemented in
various sector’s to develop the rural side in Bangladesh:
Agriculture:
Bangladesh is basically an agricultural country. Most
of the people manage their livelihood by cultivation. So ICT
therefore VoIP can help poor farmers a lot to judge the quality
and value of crops and also to compare the prices with the
international market. At present, many of the national
and international NGOs working for developing community
information centre to facilitate information transmittal to rural
people with a special focus on agriculture. They are working to
provide better information to the farmers. The project
technology used to educate farmers includes different types
of audio and video files. This video conferencing method can
be easily implemented & improved by using VoIP that allows
communicating locally and internationally. Country wise
Communication, a range of high-quality videos produced and
shared by people of different regions shown to improve
resource-poor farmers in selected villages. These videos
are being further validated on the basis of feedback from
the field.
Education:
In education sector VoIP can be used in a wide range.
VoIP is used widely internationally but because of our
technical laggings it’s not used in Bangladesh. VoIP can be
used to provide education facilities in the rural sides by

5. making a communication between the education institutes
and the teachers. But for that each institute must have at
least a computer/VoIP telephone set to connect to the server.
And to ensure that education ministry also have to take some
steps by providing necessary equipments in a reasonable cost.
By using VoIP, information transfer will be easier, video
conferencing may also be applied that will improve the
efficiency of the teachers. Not only practical education it can
also provide various moral lessons to improve the knowledge
and understanding of people’s. All will be able to know about
what’s happening & changing in the society as well as they
can adopt them. New topics around the world may be
presented before them.
Medical Field:
The medical sector of Bangladesh in the rural side is in a
very bad condition. There are many districts where simply a
good doctor is not available. In that case, Tele-medicine
service is a good idea to provide proper treatment where the
village-doctors can consult with the doctors living in towns or
abroad.
Tele-medicine service can also provide option of earning
money.
Inter-communication:
VoIP can also improve the inter district connection by
internet connectivity which will make the management system
better in any sector whether private or government.
VoIP can also improve the transportation system if all
sectors are computerized and provide direct connection to the
main station.
Weather forecast:

6. Weather forecasting is also a great problem. As
Bangladesh is a riverine country and the south side is
surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, so weather information is
very necessary. But most of the time, because of bad
communication the actual weather report can’t be delivered to
the people and then the effect of natural disasters are worst.
The SIDR is an example of it. So if VoIP is used for this
purpose by the weather department then people will be able to
know the situation time to time.
Economic field:
Regional economies and communities are facing
increasing economic, social and cultural hardship in many
parts of the world as well as in Bangladesh too. A part of this
is the paradox that regional economies and communities can
be enhanced by information and communication technologies
(ICT) products and services. Unless we get a greater level of
access AND adoption of information and communication
technology (ICT) for education and development at community
level, we will miss the opportunity to turn the "digital divide
into a digital opportunity for all". VoIP also can provide a good
service by establishing call centers for national or
international purposes.
Conclusion:
Bangladesh is a country of about 15 million
peoples. The total population can be turned into an effective
manpower by taking steps, making policies and properly
implementing them. Thus we can improve our social,
economic and education condition. And for that proper
technical backbone & communication is needed which can be
achieved by using VoIP. It is an interesting technology that

7. allows a lot of possibilities for the technically-inclined and is a
good way to get a cheap business line for a home-based
business. So at the end we can say that if VoIP is used
properly by improving the IT infra-structure then we can have
a good communication system with better quality and that will
help us to change our country’s presence in the world as well
as living status.
References:
ICT for Rural Livelihoods (seed technologies)
International journal of education and development
(IJEDICT)
Information and communication challenges (Bangladesh
facing the challenges of globalization)
Current condition of VoIP in Bangladesh (case study)