Bangladesh signs deal with China for 3G technology

Dhaka, June 9 (IANS) Bangladesh Thursday signed a loan agreement worth $211 million with a Chinese bank for the introduction of 3G technology and expansion of 2.5G network in the country.

M. Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, secretary of Bangladesh's economic relations division, and Zhang Xianyi, China's ambassador to Dhaka, signed the agreement on behalf of the Bangladesh government and the Export-Import Bank of China in Dhaka, Xinhua reported.

The loan will be used by the state-owned mobile operator Teletalk under the supervision of the post and telecommunications ministry.

The project will provide affordable mobile phone services to the people of Bangladesh, a statement said.

After installation of the 3G technology, mobile phone users will be able to enjoy real-time video calling, live mobile TV, high-speed download, e-education, public health services, tele-medicine and e-shopping on their phones.