Bangladesh, May 18 -- Bangladesh observes World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Sunday (17 May) with one of South Asia's largest mobile subscriber bases, but the country's latest ICT data shows a stubborn reality: millions of rural users still struggle to get reliable, affordable and meaningful internet access.

This year's global theme, set by the International Telecommunication Union, is "Digital lifelines: Strengthening resilience in a connected world," highlighting the need for networks that can withstand shocks and keep people connected when it matters most.

Bangladesh's connectivity numbers appear impressive at first glance.

According to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission data reported by BSS, the...