Bangladesh / Communication

Despite transportation handicaps in the rural areas, the postal system in Bangladesh is quite efficient. The domestic postal network consists of 45,000 kilometer routes. Overseas postal links exist with all countries recognized by Bangladesh. Apart from traditional services, the post-offices in Bangladesh also transfer money from one station to another. Postal life insurance and banking services to small depositors in rural areas are also provided. Five mobile post offices have been introduced in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet towns. The public sector postal services are run by the state-owned Postal Department.

Whereas there were one telephone for 770 persons a decade ago, the ratio is now around 250 per telephone. A Nationwide dialing system has linked 64 major towns in the country. International telephone links are provided through earth satellite stations. VHF wireless stations have been set up to ensure continuous linkage with remote areas of the country. A teleprinter exchange has been set up in Dhaka. There are 843 public telegraph offices in the country.

Till recently, the telecommunication sector in Bangladesh was a government monopoly. Now the private sector has been allowed to sell telephone services through cellular systems and rural networks. Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board is the government agency responsible for this sector. The state- owned Telephone Shilpa Sangstha produces Telephone sets and exchanges.