Affordable internet unlocks digital inclusion, empowers rural youth, and drives innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Bangladesh’s economy.
In March 2016, India’s telecom company Jio entered the market, offering internet access at an extremely low cost. They reduced data prices by up to 90%. As a result of this single move, internet usage in India surged by 700% within just six months. This marked a major shift in the Indian economy. Digital platforms evolved into massive marketplaces for the population. Online businesses began to grow rapidly. To meet the demands of this expanding digital population, new startups and entrepreneurs emerged. This is a significant example for Bangladesh.
In our country, the number of internet users is also increasing. However, many still cannot access the internet consistently due to its high cost. Just two weeks ago, I called someone on WhatsApp, but the call didn’t go through. Later, I phoned them directly via mobile network, and they picked up. I asked, “I tried calling you on WhatsApp, why didn’t it connect?” The person replied, “Brother, I keep my internet off.” I was surprised. I asked, “Why do you turn it off?” He said, “When it’s on, 500MB or 1GB gets used up too quickly. It becomes too expensive.” That moment made me realize: people are afraid that if they keep the internet on, their data will be depleted too fast.
Internet as a Basic Utility, Not a Luxury
The internet should become a basic utility like electricity or water, and something that remains always available. We must reach a point where people themselves say, “Since the internet is so cheap, why would I turn it off?” This is the point of economic equilibrium, when the price is so affordable that no one feels the need to disconnect. Affordable internet is not just a technological benefit; it has the potential to transform the entire economy.
In the first phase, if the internet becomes affordable, people will start using it more. In the second phase, this increased usage will create a new market for entrepreneurs. In the third phase, new startups and businesses will emerge around this market. In the fourth phase, both local and foreign investment will flow into these startups. This will create a ripple effect across the economy. The most powerful aspect of this entire process is its inherent inclusivity. Affordable internet gives equal opportunity to a young person in a remote village, someone who may never have had the means to come to the capital. That person can now launch a small tech-based business right from their hometown, be it a WhatsApp-based home delivery service, an online coaching platform, or product sales through social media.
This kind of digital inclusion isn’t just for cities; it could be a game-changer for rural economies as well.
Currently, there is a demand and supply dynamic for internet access. The higher the cost, the fewer the users. So when prices are high, demand drops. What must we do? Bring the cost down significantly so that demand rises naturally, not just in Dhaka or Gulshan, but across the entire country. When internet prices drop, usage will increase everywhere, from villages to suburbs to cities. That’s when new investment opportunities will emerge.
In this context, a key economic concept is economies of scale. Simply put, when demand is low, running a business may not be profitable. But when users increase, the same business can become highly profitable.
In Bangladesh, many regions, such as Comilla, Joypurhat, or Thakurgaon, and even district towns, still have relatively low internet usage. If internet costs were significantly reduced and users in these areas rose from 10,000 to 200,000, then local youth would begin to see business viability. They would feel confident that there are enough customers to sustain their services.
If an entrepreneur sees that 200,000 people are using the internet in his area and the number of potential customers is growing, he would be encouraged to launch a food delivery service, an online marketplace, or a home-based online learning platform. Not only that, investors would also take interest. When they observe that user numbers in a region are growing from 10,000 to 50,000, they’ll understand: yes, a market now exists here; demand is real.
If the ICT Division of Bangladesh truly envisions an inclusive, innovative, and growth-friendly digital economy, then reducing internet prices must be a top priority. It’s not just about infrastructure; we must also ensure digital awareness, education, and support for entrepreneurs.
Another important point is that being an entrepreneur doesn’t only mean launching a Silicon Valley-style startup. Anyone who solves a local problem using technology is an entrepreneur. The entrepreneurs of the future won’t just come from Dhanmondi or Banani; they will emerge from places like Thakurgaon, Satkhira, or Nilphamari, if affordable internet is available there.
Imagine 10,000 people in Bogura are in a WhatsApp group, ordering products from each other and getting them delivered. That’s a form of business too. An entrepreneur doesn't have to build a big company; if someone uses technology to solve a problem, they’re already an entrepreneur.
Today, most young people have smartphones, but many only use the internet to scroll Facebook or watch YouTube. With the right training and innovative mindset, many of them could become digital entrepreneurs.
This is only possible when the internet is everywhere, always on, and accessible to everyone. So it’s time to stop treating the internet as a luxury, and start recognizing it as a basic right. Once people begin to believe that the days of turning the internet off are over, and that the future lies in a “always-on” network, we’ll see a new generation rise. A generation that’s using technology to turn their dreams into reality.