Dhaka, April 16 -- Speakers at Broadband Expo 2026 stressed that broadband connectivity has become an essential service underpinning education, healthcare, e-governance and commerce, as Bangladesh accelerates its transition towards a "Smart Bangladesh".

Addressing the closing ceremony on Wednesday night at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Posts, Telecommunications and ICT and Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said broadband is now "the main driving force" of the country's digital transformation.

He said the government is working to expand high-speed internet to remote areas, make services affordable and create a business-friendly environment, adding that AI and freelancing trainin...