THIRD ASIAN FORUM FOR INFORMATION THIRD ASIAN FORUM FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY

THEME : IT INDEX THEME : IT INDEX MD. SAFIQUR RAHMANMD. SAFIQUR RAHMAN

DIRECTOR (STANDARDSDIRECTOR (STANDARDS))

Bangladesh Standards and Testing InstitutionBangladesh Standards and Testing Institution““Maan BhabanMaan Bhaban””

116/A,116/A, TejgaonTejgaon Industrial Area,Industrial Area,DhakaDhaka--1208, Bangladesh.1208, Bangladesh.

Phone: 9898115, Fax: 88 02 9131581Phone: 9898115, Fax: 88 02 9131581EE--mail:mail: bstibsti@@banglabangla.net.net

Website: www.Website: www.bstibdbstibd.org.org

THIRD ASIAN FORUM FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYTHIRD ASIAN FORUM FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

THEME : IT INDEX THEME : IT INDEX

MD. SAFIQUR RAHMANMD. SAFIQUR RAHMANDIRECTOR (STANDARDSDIRECTOR (STANDARDS))

A dependable information system is essential for Bangladesh to efficient management and operation of the public and private sectors. But there is a shortage of locally generated information needed for efficient performance of these sectors. In order to meet this objective, ICT use in every sector shall have to be accelerated in terms of information generation, utilization and applications. Considering the gravity and importance of ICT Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh has already declared ICT as the thrust sector.

Bangladesh government and private sectors have been trying to promotes IT Sector over the past several years with their limitations and potentiality. We appreciate the attempt of the organizers for selecting such an important theme – IT INDEX for the 3rd AFIT

Country Profile:Country Profile: The PeopleThe People’’s Republic of Bangladesh, Capital is the s Republic of Bangladesh, Capital is the DHAKA.DHAKA.Geographical location is in between Geographical location is in between 2020003434′′ and and 2626003838′′ North North Latitude and between Latitude and between 8888000101′′ and and 929200 4141′′ East Longitude, East Longitude, Area Area 1,47,570 sq.1,47,570 sq. km. km.

Time:Time: GMT +6.00 HoursGMT +6.00 HoursAverage winter temperatures (Max 29Average winter temperatures (Max 2900C, Min 9C, Min 900C)C)

Average summer temperatures (Max 40Average summer temperatures (Max 4000C, Min 21C, Min 2100C) C)

Language:Language: BanglaBangla and Englishand English1) Educational Institutions:1) Educational Institutions:Public UniversityPublic University-- 14,14, Private UniversityPrivate University-- 35,35, Engineering UniversityEngineering University-- 5,5,Agricultural UniversityAgricultural University-- 33, College, College-- 3639,3639, Government Medical Government Medical CollegeCollege--13,13, Private Medical CollegePrivate Medical College--12,12, Polytechnic InstitutesPolytechnic Institutes-- 30,30,Secondary SchoolSecondary School-- 21090,21090, Primary SchoolPrimary School--77685.77685.

2) Electricity:2) Electricity:220 220 volts AC in all cities and towns.volts AC in all cities and towns.

National IT Policy/planNational IT Policy/plan

Statement of principles, LongStatement of principles, Long--range planrange plan

The government of the PeopleThe government of the People’’s Republic of Bangladesh has taken the s Republic of Bangladesh has taken the policy on September 2002. These policy aims at building an policy on September 2002. These policy aims at building an Information & Communication Technology driven nation comprising Information & Communication Technology driven nation comprising of of knowledge based society by the year 2006.knowledge based society by the year 2006.IT related fundamental law and regulationIT related fundamental law and regulation(i) Software copyright provisions embodied in the Copyright Act,(i) Software copyright provisions embodied in the Copyright Act,2000 will be implemented by promptly setting up appropriate 2000 will be implemented by promptly setting up appropriate enforcing bodies as mentioned in the Act.enforcing bodies as mentioned in the Act.(ii) ICT Act should be enacted immediately to protect against (ii) ICT Act should be enacted immediately to protect against computer crimes. computer crimes.

(iii) Data security and compatibility should be ensured through (iii) Data security and compatibility should be ensured through actions actions such as setting of encryption standards and international agreemsuch as setting of encryption standards and international agreements on ents on compatibility.compatibility.(iv) ICT will be used by the enforcing agencies to ensure safety(iv) ICT will be used by the enforcing agencies to ensure safety & & security of the life and property of the citizen.security of the life and property of the citizen.

STANDARDIZATION:STANDARDIZATION: Reference can be given on the Reference can be given on the Technical Report of ISO/IEC/TRTechnical Report of ISO/IEC/TR--91269126--1, 2: 2003 (E). In 1, 2: 2003 (E). In Part 1 and 2 External metrics and in part 3, Internal Part 1 and 2 External metrics and in part 3, Internal metrics.metrics.

This Technical Report defines internal metrics for quantitativelThis Technical Report defines internal metrics for quantitatively y measuring external software quality in terms of characteristics measuring external software quality in terms of characteristics andand subcharacteristicssubcharacteristics defined in defined in ISO/IEC 9126ISO/IEC 9126--1,1, and is and is intended to be used together with intended to be used together with ISO/IEC 9126ISO/IEC 9126--2.2.

This Technical Report contains:This Technical Report contains:i an explanation of how to apply software quality metricsi an explanation of how to apply software quality metricsii) a basic set of metrics for eachii) a basic set of metrics for each subcharacteristicsubcharacteristiciii) an example of how to apply metrics during the software iii) an example of how to apply metrics during the software product life cycleproduct life cycle

Effect of software Product

Software Product

Dhaka

Internal quality External

qualityQuality in

use

Internal metrics Quality in

use metricsExternal metrics

ABOUT INDEXESABOUT INDEXES

We truly believe that the selected indexes can be We truly believe that the selected indexes can be utilized to express the real situation of IT in any utilized to express the real situation of IT in any country over the world. But at the same time we also country over the world. But at the same time we also felt that domination of numbers is not adequate for felt that domination of numbers is not adequate for the practical picture of IT in a country, so the the practical picture of IT in a country, so the following indexes can be added with careful following indexes can be added with careful consideration for a clear picture,consideration for a clear picture,* Living standard* Living standard* Literacy rate* Literacy rate* Socio* Socio--economic progresseconomic progress* Price of IT related hardware etc.* Price of IT related hardware etc.

As a citizen of Bangladesh, one of the poorest As a citizen of Bangladesh, one of the poorest country of the world, we really know how poverty country of the world, we really know how poverty (very bad living condition) obstructs the way of (very bad living condition) obstructs the way of healthy. It promotion and it is quite natural that healthy. It promotion and it is quite natural that with better living condition people become more with better living condition people become more interested to buy and use technical items. The interested to buy and use technical items. The participation of increasing number of citizen in IT participation of increasing number of citizen in IT sector is vital for IT promotion in any country. sector is vital for IT promotion in any country. When the number of literacy is also low then it is When the number of literacy is also low then it is difficult to promote IT. What can be done here that difficult to promote IT. What can be done here that with special training IT workers can be developed with special training IT workers can be developed to have the foreign works because of low to have the foreign works because of low manpower cost.manpower cost.

WORLD STANDERDS DAY MESSAGE

14 OCTOBER 2004

STANDARDS CONNECT THE WORLD

The connections and interfaces that standardization renders The connections and interfaces that standardization renders more efficient and more effective are just as varied. They may more efficient and more effective are just as varied. They may be mechanical, electrical or computerbe mechanical, electrical or computer--basedbased--or combinations. or combinations. They range from pipes and couplings, computer hardware and They range from pipes and couplings, computer hardware and software, to transport, power and information and software, to transport, power and information and communications technology (ICT) networks.communications technology (ICT) networks.

In turn, the scale of standardization ranges from point to In turn, the scale of standardization ranges from point to point (be they next door or on opposite sides of the point (be they next door or on opposite sides of the globe), to whole countries (as in the case of power grids), globe), to whole countries (as in the case of power grids), to worldwide (such as ICT networks).to worldwide (such as ICT networks).

In addition to connecting markets, International standards In addition to connecting markets, International standards connect developing countries and transition economies to connect developing countries and transition economies to state of the art technological knowstate of the art technological know--how enabling them to how enabling them to increase their export capability and competitiveness.increase their export capability and competitiveness.

Beyond the technical and economic benefits of international Beyond the technical and economic benefits of international standards, participating in their development enhances standards, participating in their development enhances human conceitedness. It is a matter for pride and optimism human conceitedness. It is a matter for pride and optimism that thousands of men and women of different political and that thousands of men and women of different political and religious beliefs, national and racial origins and cultural religious beliefs, national and racial origins and cultural backgrounds come together within ISO, IEC and ITU to cobackgrounds come together within ISO, IEC and ITU to co--operate effectively on the task of achieving international operate effectively on the task of achieving international consensus on standards that make a positive difference to consensus on standards that make a positive difference to out world.out world.Standards provide solutions, get the job done, connect Standards provide solutions, get the job done, connect people. Standards connect the world.people. Standards connect the world.

BANGLA CODED CHARACTER SET STANDARDSBANGLA CODED CHARACTER SET STANDARDSComputer related Sectional (Technical) Committee was Computer related Sectional (Technical) Committee was formed in 1993 under the thenformed in 1993 under the then ElectrotechnicalElectrotechnicalDivisional Committee (ETDC) of Bangladesh Standards Divisional Committee (ETDC) of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). That committee and Testing Institution (BSTI). That committee formulated a draft standard onformulated a draft standard on BanglaBangla Coded Character Coded Character Set which was approved by ETDC and finally endorsed Set which was approved by ETDC and finally endorsed as Bangladesh Standards Specification (BDS as Bangladesh Standards Specification (BDS 1520:1995) by BSTI.1520:1995) by BSTI.A few years ago the BDS 1520:1995 was revised by the A few years ago the BDS 1520:1995 was revised by the same committee andsame committee and retitledretitled as BDS 1520:2000as BDS 1520:2000 BanglaBanglaCoded Character Set for information interchange (first Coded Character Set for information interchange (first revision).revision).

The Computer related Sectional Committee than take a The Computer related Sectional Committee than take a new work to prepare a draft standards on computer new work to prepare a draft standards on computer Bengali KeyBengali Key--Board but failed to achieved the goal.Board but failed to achieved the goal.

BANGLA KEYBOARD STANDARDSBANGLA KEYBOARD STANDARDSThe Committee submitted draft standards on computerThe Committee submitted draft standards on computerBanglaBangla keyboard with report to the concern Ministry on 17 keyboard with report to the concern Ministry on 17 February, 2004.February, 2004.

On 11 April, 2004 a meeting of national taskforce of ICT On 11 April, 2004 a meeting of national taskforce of ICT headed byheaded by HonHon’’bleble Prime Minister, where a decision was Prime Minister, where a decision was taken for the registration of keyboard from BSTI.taken for the registration of keyboard from BSTI.

Ministry of Science and ICT sent a letter on 25 May, 2004 to Ministry of Science and ICT sent a letter on 25 May, 2004 to BSTI with a request to register the proposed draft keyboard BSTI with a request to register the proposed draft keyboard standards.standards.

However, after finalization of Bengali keyboard standard However, after finalization of Bengali keyboard standard BDS 1738:2004BDS 1738:2004 has already been sent to has already been sent to ICT MinistryICT Ministry for for necessary further action.necessary further action.

ee--ITU indicatorsITU indicatorsTaking the problem which are mentioned into consideration and Taking the problem which are mentioned into consideration and duly filled 20 duly filled 20

indexes. Considering the Bangladeshi Socioindexes. Considering the Bangladeshi Socio--economic condition the IT INDEX, economic condition the IT INDEX,

ee--ITU indictors (approximate basis)ITU indictors (approximate basis)

Type of Indicators Coverage Value/Amount Percentage

1. Basic indicators Total population, density, GDP per capita

Population 131.2 Million,US$ 365.00

2. Main telephone lines

Capacity, subscribers, total and per 100 inhabitants

Land telephone: Capacity 1.2 million Subs: 1 million, per hundred almost 1.

3. Waiting list for Telephone lines

Total demand, satisfied demand, waiting time (years)

Land telephone: Capacity 1.2 million Subs: 1 million, per

hundred almost 1.

4. Local Telephone network

Capacity used, automatic, digital, residential, faults per 100 mainlines per year

Faults per 100 mainlines per year 0.8%

5.Tele accessibility Residential mainlines total and per 100 households, % of household with a telephone, public telephones (total, per 1000 inhabitants, as % of mainlines)

% of household with a telephone 40%, public telephones (total, per 1000 inhabitants, as % of mainlines) 60%

6. Telephone Tariffs Connection, Monthly – Residential and Business, Local call Subscription as % of GDP per capita

Big city: Tk. 10,000, Monthly: Tk. 170 Small city: Tk.5000

7. Mobile cellular subscribers

Total, per 100 inhabitants, Growth; prepaid subscribers, population coverage (%), as % of total telephone

subscribers

Total – 2.2 million Pre paid – 1.5 millionpopulation coverage (%), as % of total telephone subscribers 1.67%

8. Prepaid cellular tariffs

Connection charge, per minute local call –peak vs. Off peak, Cost of local SMS

Connection charge Tk. 1500 – 4000, per minute local call Tk. 2.30 – 6.90, peak vs. Off peak Tk. 1.72 – 5.75, Cost of local SMS Tk. 2.30 per

minute,

9. ISDN and ADSL ISDN subscribers, B-channel equivalents (no ideas what it is) –total, per 1000 inhabitants, as % of mainlines; ADSL Subscribers –total, as of % of subscribers lines

Not available

10. International telephone traffic

Outgoing international telephone traffic: Total M. Minutes, as % of both ways, growth, minutes per inhabitants, minutes per subscriber; International telephone circuits

Total traffic – 60,000 000 minutes Outgoing – 15,000000

11. Telecommunication staff Telecommunication staff and growth, % female, subscribers per employee; mobile staff –total and subscribers per employees

Telecommunication staff, Total 15,000, female-5,000growth 20%

12. Telecommunication revenue

Total, % mobile, per inhabitant, per telephone subscribers, per employee, as a % of GDP

Total1600 crore Tk. T & T

13. Telecommunication investment

Total, per inhabitant, per telephone subscriber, as a % of revenue, as % GFCF

Total 10,000 crore Tk.

14. Equipment trade Telecom equipment export – import and growth, trade balance

No export

15. Information Technology

Internet – Host total, hosts per 100 inhabitants, users per 100 inhabitants; PC –total, per 100 inhabitants

Internet 15,000 PC 25 thousands

16. Internet Tariff 20 hours per month

ISP charge – monthly fee, hours included, excess time charge, total ISP charge; telephone usage charge, total internet price – 20 hrs of use, as % of GNI per capita

Registration Taka10,000 + Installation 30,000 + yearly charge taka76,000.00/-

17. Internet Internet subscribers, broadband – total, as % of total subscribers, growth; internet bandwidth

total-2,00000BB- No BB subscribers

18. Broadcasting Radio – households, as % of total households, population coverage; Television – households, as % of total households, population coverage

Radio – households 55%

Television – households 35%

19. MultichannelTV

Cable TV subscribers – total, as % of TV household; Home satellite antennas – total, as % of TV households; Cable modem subscribers – total, as % of cable TV subscribers

Cable TV subscribers 40% of TV household

Cable modem subscribers 25% of TV household

20. Projections Main telephone lines –total, per 100 inhabitants; cellular subscribers – total, per 100 inhabitants.

Main telephone lines 1 million, per 100 inhabitants 0.762%, cellular subscribers – total 2.2 million, per 100 inhabitants 1.677%

So in essence the process of promoting So in essence the process of promoting IT and determining its progress in a poor IT and determining its progress in a poor and developing country is certainly and developing country is certainly different from that in a rich and developed different from that in a rich and developed country. Consequently this matter of country. Consequently this matter of determining the progress of IT based on determining the progress of IT based on different IT indexes is subjected to different IT indexes is subjected to gradual modification.gradual modification.