Dhaka, Aug. 12 -- Bangladesh Bank has granted approval for a special pilot programme aimed at making smartphones more accessible to underserved, rural and low-income communities and enabling more people to participate in digital and financial services.

The Payment Systems Department-1 of Bangladesh Bank issued a formal no-objection to SahajMobile BD Limited to operate the pilot programme under specified regulatory terms and conditions.

The initiative is designed not simply to increase smartphone ownership, but to address a practical barrier faced by many low-income people who cannot afford to purchase a suitable smartphone through a single upfront payment.

The pilot programme will explore a responsible and regulated model for improving...