Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited’s recent announcement that it has boosted internet speeds without raising prices is welcome news, especially for a nation where consumers have long long experienced the perils of slow connection.

In this day and age, where education, commerce, and communication increasingly relies on digital platforms, connectivity has become a basic necessity. Faster speed will, therefore, be advantageous for students, professionals, businesses, and digital workers alike.

However, while higher bandwidth is certainly desirable, ensuring broad and equitable access to the internet remains a more pressing priority for the nation.

In many parts of Bangladesh, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas, internet access is slow, intermittent, or simply non-existent. Speed upgrades matter little if vast populations remain deprived of connectivity.

Universal internet access is now an essential aspect of modern life. It supports access to necessities like education, public services, healthcare information, financial systems, and employment opportunities.

Having reliable connectivity can thus enable wider participation in digital platforms, improve communication between citizens and institutions, and allow businesses to operate more efficiently.

Without widespread access, large sections of the population remain excluded from services and opportunities that increasingly exist online. Internet connectivity policies must, therefore, complement this push for speed with the urgent need for inclusion. 

Expansion of infrastructure, affordable data plans, community access points, and investments in areas where the digital divide is widest can ensure that no region or demographic is left at a disadvantage.

BTCL’s initiative is a positive step, and offering faster internet at the same price is commendable, but speed without reach benefits only some.

Bangladesh’s digital future will be strongest not when the internet is fastest, but when it is truly accessible to everyone.