Bangladesh's digital future hinges on innovation, not just connectivity, says GSMA's Julian Gorman

Bangladesh has built a robust mobile network, achieving nearly universal 4G population coverage. However, this extensive infrastructure is not enough to drive the nation's digital economy forward, according to Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific at the GSMA. He argues that the next phase of digital growth hinges on increasing online participation, fostering innovation, and establishing predictable policies that attract long-term investment.

Gorman highlighted that despite widespread network availability, Bangladesh lags behind regional peers in key areas like smartphone adoption, mobile broadband usage, and digital innovation. With smartphone penetration around 55 percent and average monthly mobile broadband consumption at approximately 5 GB, the country faces a significant "usage gap." The GSMA's Digital Nations Index places Bangladesh near the bottom of regional rankings, with innovation identified as its weakest component.

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The world is waiting to hear Bangladesh's digital inclusion story.

"The world is waiting to hear Bangladesh's digital inclusion story," Gorman stated, emphasizing that the country's primary opportunity lies in transforming its connectivity into broader engagement with the digital economy. He pointed to countries like Vietnam, which have advanced rapidly through strong political leadership, clear policy direction, and spectrum pricing strategies that prioritize investment over maximizing short-term government revenue. Gorman stressed that increasing digital literacy and equipping citizens with necessary online skills should be national priorities to effectively close the usage gap.

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The biggest challenge now is closing the usage gap.