Grameenphone: Adding value to the mobile
(May 2007) Grameenphone has built one of the most extensive infrastructures of Bangladesh and is a major contributor to the development of the national economy.
Grameenphone launched mobile services in March 1997 and is currently the leading mobile operator in Bangladesh with more than 12 million subscribers. Grameenphone has been a pioneer in introducing new products and services in the local market, extending connectivity to those who have no alternative access to communication technology and to those with little to spend on services.
With a mobile network backbone, operators are able to offer a comprehensive ICT service throughout the country. Mobile networks have proved the most efficient basis for ensuring ICT access to the Bangladeshi people.
Connectivity promotes national economy
Scientific research from the World Bank demonstrates that mobile growth is a significant contributor to GDP growth. According to World Bank figures, a 10 per cent increase in mobile penetration boosts GDP growth by 0.6 per cent while a 1 per cent increase in the number of Internet users in a country increases total export by 4.3 per cent.
Grameenphone’s network today covers approx. 95 per cent of the population. The entire network has EDGE or GPRS connectivity allowing mobile Internet access to customers with no alternative Internet facilities.
500 Community Information Centres
To further ensure real connectivity across the country, Grameenphone initiated the Community Information Centre (CIC) project in February 2006, in collaboration with the GSM Association development fund. CICs are shared data access centres located in rural areas using Grameenphone’s nationwide EDGE connectivity. 500 such centres exist in Bangladesh today. The CICs are independent businesses run by local entrepreneurs. They provide high speed Internet access in rural areas, where the nearest Internet facilities would otherwise be at least 20-30 miles away.
Global award for HealthLine
Grameenphone is constantly exploring new services that reflect the distinct needs of the people. On 4 November 2006, the company launched HealthLine, a 24-hour call centre manned by registered physicians. The service is accessible to all Grameenphone subscribers and registered callers receive medical assistance directly over the phone (medical files are retained at the call centres). Bangladesh has a ratio of one doctor per every 4,000 people and this service helps to extend primary health care information and services to all Grameenphone subscribers. On 13 February 2007 Grameenphone received the GSMA Global Mobile Award for the HealthLine Service.
The telecommunication industry in Bangladesh is now estimated to represent around 1 per cent of the country’s GDP. From day one Grameenphone has worked on the basis of a fundamental belief that enabling poor people to communicate stimulates the individual and the society as a whole.
For more information, please contact:
Esben Tuman, Communications Director, Telenor Asia, e-mail: esben@telenor.com
Mai Oldgard, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, e-mail: mai.oldgard@telenor.com
