Aug 02 (v7n) - Bangladesh added internet users at a significantly faster rate than mobile subscribers during the first half of 2026, reflecting rising digital adoption as the government pushes to increase the ICT sector's contribution to the economy to 10 percent within five years.

According to the latest BTRC data, the country had 189.83 million active mobile subscribers and 135.94 million internet subscribers at the end of June. Internet subscriptions rose by 6.95 million between January and June, while mobile connections increased by 4.03 million over the same period—indicating that digital growth is increasingly driven by greater internet usage among existing mobile users rather than new SIM registrations.

The trend accelerated in the second quarter: from April to June, internet subscriptions grew by 4.52 million compared to 2.76 million new mobile subscribers. In June alone, the country added 1.87 million internet users versus 1.23 million mobile subscribers.

The subscriber surge comes as the government has identified ICT as a thrust sector, with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stating in the FY27 budget speech that "through appropriate planning and effective implementation, this contribution can be increased to 10 percent within the next five years."

The government's digital agenda includes expanding 5G coverage to 90 percent of the population, ensuring 100 Mbps broadband speeds, establishing a National Fibre Bank for rural connectivity, introducing a "One Citizen-One ID-One Digital Wallet" system, and creating 200,000 tech jobs annually.

To support these goals, the FY27 budget removed SIM tax and import duties on laptops, desktops, printers, and monitors; reduced AIT on 22 raw materials for mobile manufacturing to 1%; extended VAT exemptions for local tech production until 2030; and allocated Tk 500 crore as a Startup Fund for women and young ICT entrepreneurs.

The finance minister also hailed Bangladesh's youth as the country's greatest asset, expressing confidence that with adequate support, they could establish world-class tech hubs comparable to Silicon Valley, Shenzhen, Singapore, or Dubai.

BTRC data also showed mobile internet dominance, with 120.84 million mobile internet users out of 135.94 million total subscribers. Among operators, Grameenphone led with 86.59 million subscribers, followed by Robi (58.57 million), Banglalink (37.86 million), and Teletalk (6.80 million). Grameenphone added the most new users (2.26 million) in the first half of the year.

end/aj/rh/