Chairman, Norwegian Nobel Committee Visit to Bangladesh

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Rahul Gandhi Visit to Bangladesh Micro Credi

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First Itu World Information Society Award – Meet The Laureates

Great Offer for Nokia-5500

Prepared by GTC IT

Grameen Information Kiosk

Grameen Telecom (GTC) with co-operation from Grameen Communications (GC) is planning to launch information technology (IT) services in the rural areas of Bangladesh by implementing pilot 'Grameen Information Kiosk(GIK)' project that will aim to bring modern information services to the people of Mirzapur and its surrounding areas. GIK would be setup that would allow people to gain access to government officers and services from various departments. The kiosks would also have internet connections so that people can communicate and interact with the rest of the world.

In order to implement a pilot GIK project a number of pre-planning and planning activities have been carried out. Firstly a survey of the villages around Mirzapur has been undertaken to gain an insight into the information needs of the local people. In addition to this survey the Thana level government offices has also been looked into. Officers from government departments that are most frequently visited by the villagers and whose services can be made available online through the village kiosks will be consulted.

After the survey was completed, a preliminary list of possible village kiosk locations was created along side a list a of government departments that may be provided with computers by GTC. GTC will setup around 5 village kiosks in the first phase of the pilot project. GC will provide the necessary networking support to create a wireless network within 5-10km around the Mirzapur area. The GC Digital centre (GDC) in Mirzapur would be used a hub for the Village Kiosks project. Internet connections will be provided to the kiosks and government offices via wireless connections.

The services that may be offered by the Village Kiosks have also been investigated. A web portal will be created that will be the central access point to all the services available to the rural people via the village kiosk.

Once a list of possible village kiosk locations and government offices are finalised, entrepreneurs will be chosen from amongst Grameen Bank borrowers who would be willing to setup village and manage kiosks in their villages.

Connection Of CIC

Bangladesh has evolved in a new era of great opportunity in the field of information and technology. Previously this field had been limited only to the major cities of the county. As a result 95% of the people had been deprived from this privilege. Therefore Grameen Telecom has come forward to help these underprivileged people in rural areas with the aim to give them a brighter future. Grameen Telecom has ventured a pilot operation known as the CIC ( Community Information Center ) with the support of Grameen Phone's network by EDGE/GPRS service. By using this facility the customers do not have to face the hazard of getting cable connection. They simply require using their sim cards from specific mobile operators to get internet connection.