Tech-News
BASIS launches America Desk to strengthen Bangladesh-US ICT collaboration
Prime Minister's Advisor on Private Industry and Investment Salman F Rahman on Sunday said the BASIS America Desk will help establish “strategic and friendly” relationships between Bangladeshi and US tech companies.
“It will encourage joint research and development projects in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, and cybersecurity,” he said.
Salman said BASIS must take on the role of mentoring and nurturing its member companies to ensure they conduct their businesses effectively.
"We need to compete with other countries in the global market. The government is providing incentives to increase exports in this regard. Service exports are highly competitive, so maintaining quality is essential to staying ahead," he added.
Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) launched the "BASIS America" desk to facilitate and strengthen ICT business collaborations between Bangladeshi ICT and software companies and their counterparts of the United States of America.
The launching ceremony was held on Sunday at a hotel in the capital.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D Haas was present as guest of honor at the ceremony.
Additionally, the event was attended by officials from various embassies in Bangladesh, former presidents of BASIS, members of the executive committee, members, and senior officials from various government and private organizations.
The United States is the largest export destination for Bangladeshi software and information technology products and services, accounting for about 27% of total export earnings.
The BASIS America Desk will serve as a dedicated platform that showcases the latest technological advancements to American companies and investors, facilitate information exchange through seminars and B2B meetings, and organize training programs and workshops, thereby playing a leading role in enhancing the skills and knowledge exchange for BASIS members.
Syed Mohammad Kamal, Vice President (Admin) of BASIS, said, "The primary objective of the BASIS America Desk is to create new opportunities in the US market for Bangladesh's IT sector and to expand skill development programs through technology and knowledge exchange."
Additionally, he said, they aim to establish Bangladesh as a global ICT hub by building a smart economy.
Ambassador Haas expressed his enthusiasm for this initiative, highlighting its mutual benefits for both countries.
He said BASIS America Desk represents a significant milestone in the growing collaboration between the ICT sectors of Bangladesh and the United States.
"Transitioning from a closed market to an open market is more beneficial. Bangladesh can leverage AI to enhance the efficiency of its garment and software exports. However, this requires investment in human resource development and increased investment. Moreover, providing better services at a lower cost than neighbouring countries is essential. Utilizing AI solutions can help businesses expand," said the envoy.
He hoped the BASIS America Desk will further enrich the export market to the USA. "I am confident that this initiative will play a vital role in strengthening bilateral trade, business expansion, and cooperation between the IT and software companies of both countries."
BASIS President Russell T. Ahmed discussed the strategic vision of the BASIS America Desk and the future prospects of BASIS.
He said there is no alternative to increasing foreign exchange earnings to strengthen our country's economy.
"I firmly believe that the IT sector will play a crucial role in achieving this goal in the future. Through the BASIS America Desk, we aim to generate $5 billion in export revenue from the IT sector within the next 5-6 years by increasing the export of Bangladesh's IT services to the United States. To reach this goal, the BASIS America Desk will create opportunities for Bangladeshi companies to enter the US market. The BASIS America Desk is not just a platform; we are very optimistic that it will open doors of immense potential for BASIS members and Bangladeshi IT companies. Special emphasis now needs to be placed on human resource development. I firmly believe that this initiative by the BASIS America Desk will help establish Bangladesh as a strong IT hub," he said.
In a video message as a special guest, State Minister for Post, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, "The launch of the BASIS America Desk is a significant milestone in strengthening Bangladesh's IT sector and positioning Bangladesh as a hub of information technology in the global market. By leveraging this platform, IT companies in both Bangladesh and the United States will be able to establish a strong mutual business relationship within the IT sector."
At the programme, M Asif Rahman, Director of BASIS, delivered a keynote presentation. M Rashidul Hasan, Senior Vice President of BASIS also spoke.
BASIS believes that through this initiative of forming the BASIS America Desk, both Bangladeshi and US IT and software companies will be able to create a business-friendly environment.
European Union says X's blue checks are deceptive, transparency falls short under social media law
The European Union says blue checkmarks from Elon Musk's X are deceptive and that the online platform falls short on transparency and accountability requirements in the first charges against a tech company since the bloc's new social media regulations took effect.
The European Commission outlined on Friday the preliminary findings from its investigation into X, formerly known as Twitter, under the 27-nation bloc's Digital Services Act.
Google falling short of important climate target, cites electricity needs of AI
The rulebook, also known as the DSA, is a sweeping set of regulations that requires platforms to take more responsibility for protecting users and cleaning up their sites.
Regulators took aim at X's blue checks, saying they constitute "dark patterns” that are not in line with industry best practice and can be used by malicious actors to deceive users.
Future of Elon Musk and Tesla are on the line as shareholders vote on massive pay package
After Musk bought the site in 2022, it started issuing the verification marks to anyone who paid $8 per month for one. Before Musk's acquisition, they mirrored verification badges common on social media and were largely reserved for celebrities, politicians and other influential accounts.
Best Video Editing Apps for Android, IOS in 2024
In today's fast-paced world, editing videos and reels on your smartphone is more convenient than ever. You can post videos right away while staying outdoors or attending an event. As numerous apps are available on App Store, and Google Play Store, choosing the right free or paid mobile-friendly video editing tool can be challenging. Let’s explore the top video editing apps for 2024 that cater to both Android and iOS users.
10 Best Mobile Video Editing Apps in 2024
LumaFusion
LumaFusion is a popular video editing app with a 4.8/5 rating. It is a paid app, costing $29.99 as a one-time purchase. With a download size of 183 MB, this app was developed by LumaTouch LLC.
LumaFusion offers a range of professional-grade features, including keyframing, multi-track timeline editing, and advanced audio editing tools. Users can apply various filters, effects, and transitions to their videos. The app is popular among amateur and professional video editors for its comprehensive set of tools and intuitive interface, making it a powerful choice for mobile video editing on Android and iOS platforms.
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CapCut
CapCut, developed by Bytedance, boasts a 4.6/5 rating. This free app offers in-app purchases and has a download size of 75 MB. CapCut is known for its user-friendly interface and robust features, making it ideal for quick video edits and social media content creation.
Its key features include color correction, background removal, and TikTok integration, which allows seamless sharing to the popular social media platform. Additionally, CapCut offers speech-to-text auto-captioning and precise speed control, making it a versatile tool for novice and experienced video editors looking for a comprehensive yet accessible mobile editing solution.
Adobe Premiere Rush
Adobe Premiere Rush, rated 4.5/5, is a free app with additional features available via a $9.99 monthly subscription. With a download size of 253 MB, this app is developed by Adobe Inc. It offers a streamlined version of the desktop Adobe Premiere Pro.
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Premiere Rush includes motion graphics templates, color correction tools, and a stock media library. It supports cross-platform editing, allowing users to start a project on their mobile device and finish on a desktop. The app is designed for social media content creators, offering easy sharing options to platforms like YouTube and Instagram, making it a versatile tool for quick and professional video edits.
Videoleap
Videoleap, developed by Lightricks Ltd., has a rating of 4.4/5. It offers a free trial, with subscriptions costing monthly $5.99 or a one-time purchase of $59.99. The download size is 170 MB.
Videoleap stands out for its advanced AI tools, including recoloring, voice modification, and uncropping. The app provides a powerful timeline editing feature, touch gestures for precision, and a wide range of filters and effects. Videoleap caters to professional editors and casual users, offering intuitive tools that simplify complex editing processes. It's an excellent choice for developing standard-quality videos on smartphones.
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CyberLink PowerDirector
CyberLink PowerDirector is a free app with a subscription available for $4.99 per month to unlock additional features. The app's download size is 130 MB, and it was developed by CyberLink Corp company. Its current rating is 4.3 out of 5.
It offers a comprehensive set of editing tools, including multi-track editing, chroma key, and masking. Users can also access a vast library of stock media through connections to Pexels and Pixabay. The app supports developing high-quality videos and provides a user-friendly interface, making it suitable for beginners and advanced users looking to create polished videos on their mobile devices.
ICT Development Index 2024: Despite strong mobile network coverage, Bangladesh scores below regional and global averages
Bangladesh has scored 62 out of 100 in the 2024 edition of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) ICT Development Index (IDI). This score places Bangladesh below the average for both lower-middle-income countries, which is 64.8, and the Asia & Pacific region, which averages 77.3.
In South Asia, Bangladesh’s performance is mixed compared to its neighbors. Pakistan scored 55.6, Sri Lanka 71.3, Bhutan 85.9, Maldives 81.5, and Afghanistan 33.1. Notably, India and Nepal were marked as having “insufficient data” in this year’s index.
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One of the key metrics where Bangladesh lags is universal connectivity, scoring 39.4. Internet usage among individuals stands at 38.9%, and 38.1% of households have internet access, according to ICT Development Index. Despite these challenges, Bangladesh excelled in mobile network coverage, achieving 98.5% population coverage for 3G and 4G networks.
The 2024 ICT Development Index revealed an overall average score of 74.8 for the 170 economies surveyed, showing a 3.3% improvement from the previous year. Over half of the studied economies scored above 80 points, yet significant disparities remain: the lowest IDI score is 21.3, and 29 economies scored below 50 points.
“Measurement is critical for achieving universal and meaningful connectivity. The journey toward a fully and meaningfully connected world is far from over, but with the right data, tools, and commitment, we can make significant strides in ensuring everyone benefits from digital connectivity, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future,” said Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau. “However, we have to recognize that each country has its own characteristics, faces its own challenges, and must follow its own development path.”
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The ITU, a United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), continues to drive innovation in ICTs alongside its 193 Member States and over 900 member companies, universities, and international and regional organizations.
Best Text-to-Speech Software in 2024
In recent years, the advancement of AI technology has somewhat revolutionized how people work with the internet. In this wave, text-to-speech softwares are assisting professionals from diverse backgrounds. Developing an AI produced speech out of written text, these apps and software are saving time and effort. Here’s a list of some efficient text-to-speech software. Let’s explore their features, pros, cons, and prices.
7 Popular Text-to-Speech Software and Apps in 2024
Listening
If you’re looking to convert natural-sounding, high-quality academic texts to speech, then Listening might be the perfect solution for you. The platform specializes in natural-sounding speeches that mimic human emotions.
Currently Listening can convert to speech from direct docs, journal articles, and even PDFs. There’s a large pool of AI voices to choose from as well as extensive language support. The pricing plan for Listening is $19.99/month or $125/year with three days of trial period.
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Pros:
- Easy-to-navigate interface - Realistic voice - Extensive selection of languages - Customizable voices
Cons:
- The free version offers limited features
Software link: https://www.listening.com/
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Balabolka
Balabolka is one of the best free text-to-speech software out there. It can be used in several ways. Firstly, users can directly input the text into the platform. Concurrently, any Word doc, PDF, or HTML file can also be uploaded to the platform.
On the output end, the platform supports SAPI 4 with eight different voices, SAPI 5 with two voices as well as Microsoft’s native speech platform. The outputs can be time-stamped for ease of navigation.
Pros:
- It's completely free - Wide range of voice options - Wide range of text options.
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Cons:
- Dated interface
Software Link: https://balabolka.en.softonic.com/
Natural Reader
Natural Reader is another freemium text-to-speech software geared for those looking for a host of customization and editing options. The software has two versions, a desktop one and a cloud-based one.
The desktop version offers a host of customizability with a standard working mechanism. You upload a text file and convert it into a speech file. But things get interesting with their cloud platform.
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Here users can make use of the floating bar. You can highlight any text on any platform and use the floating bar to customize the speech output. It's pretty neat in terms of easing the workload.
Pros:
- OCR compatible - Interface choices - Can be added as a browser extension.
Cons:
- Cloud-based - The free plan has limited voice options.
Software Link: https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/
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Cloud Google Text-to-Speech
As one of the leading companies working with speech recognition AI, it's no surprise that Google has a text-to-speech feature under their Cloud service. And it's one of the best in business. The feature uses Google’s state-of-the-art AI integration to detect and use hyper-realistic speech voices to create output.
The feature is available as an API that can be integrated into any project. There is a monthly cap on the free version. However, the pay-as-you-go plan would work best for anyone looking for a human-like speech for their texts.
Pros:
- Wide range of language support - Options for pitch, speaking rate, and volume gain- Easy-to-use API.
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Cons:
- Not a standalone software - Requires Google Cloud account.
Software Link: https://cloud.google.com/text-to-speech
Panopreter Basic
Panopreter basic works best for those who are new to the world of text-to-speech conversion. The interface of the software is designed in a way that is easy to navigate and quick to learn. The text input supports a host of options including direct web pages.
The output however is limited to either MP3 or WAV formats. There’s a premium plan that brings additional customizability.
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Pros:
- Ability to integrate web pages - Supports speech dictionary - Easy to navigate.
Cons:
Only available for the Windows platform.
Software Link: https://www.panopreter.com/en/products/pb/index.php
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WordTalk
WordTalk is designed for those who exclusively work in the Microsoft Word platform. The software is developed by the University of Edinburgh as an extension of Microsoft Word.
The extension interface is fairly simple and basic. However, the converter does support SAPI 4 and 5 voices with limited customizations.
The use of narration and keyboard shortcuts are also nice additions to this simple converter.
Pros:
- Can be used as an extension - SAPI 4 and 5 supported - Speech dictionary.
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Cons:
Only works with Microsoft Word.
Software Link: https://www.wordtalk.org.uk/
ReadAloud
ReadAloud is designed as a text-to-speech converter on the go. It can be primarily used as a browser extension for real-time text-to-speech conversions. ReadAloud has been tested to work perfectly with web pages, PDFs, and Google Docs among others.
For real-time conversions, ReadAloud highlights the part of the texts being read for ease of following along.
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The free version has limited features. Users can choose a lifetime licensing for a one-time payment of $99.99 or subscribe to their monthly plan for $4.99.
Pros:
- Easy to use - Supports up to 55 languages - Text highlighting feature - Integrates seamlessly with any browser.
Cons:
- Downloads are available only with the premium plan - Currently, it only works with Chrome and Firefox browsers.
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Software Link: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/read-aloud-a-text-to-spee/hdhinadidafjejdhmfkjgnolgimiaplp?hl=en&pli=1
Which is the Better SUV? Edmunds compares the new Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus GX
Toyota has come out with an all-new 2024 Land Cruiser. This latest model of this long-running SUV is smaller and less expensive than before and comes with a hybrid powertrain that gets better fuel economy than the previous V8. Yet, true to tradition, the Land Cruiser comes standard with four-wheel drive and ample ground clearance for help over rugged terrain. It should be a no-brainer for anyone shopping for an outdoorsy SUV. There’s just one thing: You might want to get a 2024 Lexus GX instead.
It’s rare when you have an intra-family rivalry that is as compelling as these two models. The 2024 Lexus GX is similarly new and based on the same platform underpinning the Land Cruiser. It costs more than the Land Cruiser to start but is equally off-road capable, has a more powerful engine, and comes with a third row of seating.
Edmunds’ auto experts put these two SUVs in a head-to-head comparison to see which is the better buy.
Engines and Fuel Economy
The Land Cruiser comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that produces 326 horsepower. That robust torque figure helps the Land Cruiser feel responsive at low speeds, though getting up to speed on the highway takes a while. During testing, Edmunds found it needed 8.2 seconds to get to 60 mph. That’s fine for routine driving needs, though some shoppers might long for more highway passing power. On the plus side, the 2024 Land Cruiser gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
The GX goes its own way in terms of its powertrain. Four-wheel drive is similarly standard, yet tucked under the hood is a turbocharged V6 that delivers 349 horsepower that helps the GX zip from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. The trade-off is fuel efficiency. Lacking a hybrid setup like the Land Cruiser, the GX gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined.
Efficiency-minded shoppers might prefer the Land Cruiser but in day-to-day driving the GX’s quicker acceleration is more appealing.
Winner: Lexus GX
Features and Value
The five-passenger Land Cruiser lineup kicks off with the entry-level 1958 trim level that starts at $57,345, including destination. It’s a bit of a stripped-down trim level, however. The more compelling buy is the midrange trim level known simply as Land Cruiser. Starting at $63,695, it’s equipped with more desirable features such as ventilated front seats with synthetic leather upholstery, an upgraded 12.3-inch touchscreen and power liftgate.
To get the GX 550, you’ll only need to pay about the same amount as for that midrange Land Cruiser: $64,250. This base Premium trim comes with a comparable amount of standard features as the midrange Land Cruiser. As a luxury model, the GX also offers a lot more high-end features than the Land Cruiser, including an available premium Mark Levinson sound system and massaging front seats. Of course, these features come at a price; the top GX trims are close to $80,000.
Ultimately, the price gap between these two SUVs is closer than you might think, and both offer solid value.
Winner: tie
Driving and Comfort
Having body-on-frame construction makes the Land Cruiser and GX highly capable when paved roads end. Thankfully, on-pavement driving manners are commendable too. Their upright designs and large windows provide excellent outward visibility. The front seats are supportive in both, though Edmunds found their second rows have less legroom than expected in vehicles this size.
When driven at a more sedate pace, body control is good and a step above similarly outdoorsy rivals like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. Compared to the Land Cruiser, the GX does hold key advantages in terms of speedier acceleration and greater stability during hard braking. And while neither feels particularly nimble during spirited cornering, the Lexus’ suspension feels a little more refined.
Winner: Lexus GX
Cargo Space and Towing
The GX is the only one of the two SUVs with a third row of seating. One hitch is that they’re very small and really only suitable for small kids. When occupied, cargo room shrinks to only 10.3 cubic feet, though this expands to a more usable 40.2 cubic feet in capacity with the third row folded. Open up the back of the Land Cruiser and you’ll have 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
Towing is where the Lexus GX has an advantage. It is rated to pull up to 9,096 pounds when properly equipped. The Land Cruiser tops out at 6,000 pounds.
Winner: Lexus GX
Edmunds Says
Both of these SUVs impress with their above-average off-road capability. The Land Cruiser has appeal because of its heritage-based styling and lower starting price. But compare it to the GX and you’ll find that paying just a bit more gets you a notably better SUV.
Google falling short of important climate target, cites electricity needs of AI
Three years ago, Google set an ambitious plan to address climate change by going “net zero,” meaning it would release no more climate-changing gases into the air than it removes, by 2030.
But a report from the company Tuesday shows it is nowhere near meeting that goal.
Rather than declining, its emissions grew 13% in 2023 over the year before. Compared to its baseline year of 2019, emissions have soared 48%.
Google cited artificial intelligence and the demand it puts on data centers, which require massive amounts of electricity, for last year’s growth.
Making that electricity by burning coal or natural gas emits greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide and methane, which warm the planet, bringing more extreme weather.
The company has one of the most significant climate commitments in industry and has been seen as a leader.
Lisa Sachs, director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, said Google should be doing more to partner with cleaner companies and invest in the electrical grid.
“The reality is that we are far behind what we could already be doing now with the technology that we have, with the resources that we have, in terms of advancing the transition,” she said.
Google Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Brandt told The Associated Press, “Reaching this net zero goal by 2030, this is an extremely ambitious goal.
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“We know this is not going to be easy and that our approach will need to continue to evolve,” Brandt added, “and it will require us to navigate a lot of uncertainty, including this uncertainty around the future of AI’s environmental impacts.”
Some experts say the rapidly expanding data centers needed to power AI threaten the entire transition to clean electricity, an important part of addressing climate change. That’s because a new data center can delay the closure of a power plant that burns fossil fuel or prompt a new one to be built. Data centers are not only energy-intensive, they require high voltage transmission lines and need significant amounts of water to stay cool. They are also noisy.
They often are built where electricity is cheapest, not where renewables, such as wind and solar, are a key source of energy.
Global data center and AI electricity demand could double by 2026, according to the International Energy Agency.
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Other major tech company sustainability plans are also challenged by the proliferation of data centers. They caused Microsoft’s emissions to grow 29% above its 2020 baseline, the company said in an environmental sustainability report in May.
Tech companies make the case that AI, including tools such as ChatGPT, is not only partially causing climate change, it’s also helping to address it.
In the case of Google, that could mean using data to predict future flooding, or making traffic flow more efficiently, to save gasoline.
Amanda Smith, senior scientist at the climate nonprofit Project Drawdown, said those who use AI — both large companies and individuals just making memes — need to do so responsibly, meaning using the energy only when it benefits society.
“It’s up to us as humans to watch what we’re doing with it and to question why we’re doing that,” Smith added. “When it’s worth it, we can make sure that those demands are going to be met by clean sources of power.”
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Google’s emissions grew last year in part because the company used more energy; 25,910 gigawatt-hours more, an increase from the year before and more than double the hours of energy consumed just four years earlier. A gigawatt-hour is roughly the energy that a power plant serving several hundred thousand households puts out in one hour.
On the positive side, as Google’s consumption grows, so has its use of renewable power.
The company said in 2020 it would meet its massive need for electricity using only clean energy every hour of every day by 2030, all over the world. Last year, Google says, it saw an average of 64% carbon-free energy for its data centers and offices around the globe. The company says its data centers are, on average, 1.8 times as energy efficient as others in the industry.
Sachs, at Columbia University, credited Google for its ambition and honesty, but said she hopes “that Google would join us in a more rigorous conversation about how to accelerate” clean energy amid the climate crisis, “so that it doesn’t get much worse before it starts getting better.”
Japan launches an advanced Earth observation satellite on its new flagship H3 rocket
Japan deployed an upgraded Earth observation satellite for disaster response and security after it was launched on a new flagship H3 rocket Monday.
The H3 No. 3 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center on a southwestern Japanese island and released its payload about 16 minutes later as planned, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said during a livestream.
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The Advanced Land Observation Satellite, or ALOS-4, is tasked primarily with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and mapmaking. It's also capable of monitoring military activity, such as missile launches, with an infrared sensor developed by the Defense Ministry.
The rocket appeared to fly as planned, and JAXA is expected to give further details at a news conference later Monday. The launch was initially planned for Sunday but was delayed due to bad weather at the launch site.
The ALOS-4 is a successor to the current ALOS-2 and can observe a much wider area. Japan will operate both for the time being.
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The launch was the third of the H3 system, after the successful one on Feb 17. and the shocking failed debut flight a year earlier when the rocket had to be destroyed with its payload — a satellite that was supposed to be the ALOS-3.
Japan sees a stable, commercially competitive space transport capability as key to its space program and national security.
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JAXA and its main contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have been developing the H3 launch system as a successor to its current mainstay, H-2A, which is set to retire after two more flights. MHI will eventually take over H3 production and launches from JAXA and hopes to make it commercially viable by cutting the launch cost to about half of the H-2A.
Mobile phone calls drops: Govt to enforce stricter compensation, says Palak
The government will implement stricter measures to ensure telecom operators compensate for call drops, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, said today.
“Mobile network operators must compensate their clients financially if they do not deliver the promised services,” said Palak, adding that regular monitoring and audits will be conducted to enforce this.
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Palak made these remarks during a meeting at BTRC Bhaban in Agargaon, focusing on the service quality of mobile operators.
“Clients are often dissatisfied with the services. Call drops have become a regular issue, making our consumers unhappy. According to the BTRC report, the quality of services is not satisfactory,” he noted.
The government is committed to ensuring international standard mobile services. “We are working to guarantee that mobile operators provide the promised services and offer affordable internet to clients,” Palak added.
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Emphasizing the development of a smart telecom ecosystem in Bangladesh, Palak said the government will not be satisfied until clients express positive reactions about call drops, regardless of the statistics provided by mobile operators over the next six months.
Palak also mentioned that the government will take client feedback into account regarding internet speed. A technical inspection team has been formed for this purpose.
Regarding the 5G network, Palak said that there is a specific target for the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and four mobile operators for the 5G rollout. He highlighted a directive from the Prime Minister to introduce 5G in airports, seaports, and key commercial and industrial areas, with a gradual rollout to other areas.
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He cited the anticipated opening of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in October and directed mobile operators to ensure 5G network availability there by October 30.
The meeting was presided over by BTRC Chairman Engineer Md Mohiuddin Ahmed and attended by top officials from mobile operators, including Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) President and Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman, as stated in a PID handout.
Experts for integrating services with National e-Service Bus
Experts at a workshop on Sunday urged all ministries and agencies to integrate their services with the National e-Service Bus for enhanced interoperability and availability of government online services.
They highlighted that 30 already-integrated services, such as the NID system, birth and death registration system, pay fixation system, e-primary system, and data analytics platforms, have significantly enhanced end-users' access and reduced database development costs.
The workshop on Bangladesh National Digital Architecture (BNDA) was organised by the World Bank-financed Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) Project of BCC at a city hotel.
Chaired by ICT Secretary Md Shamsul Arefin, the programme was addressed, among others, by Executive Director of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Ranajit Kumar, EDGE Project Director Md Shakhawat Hossain and BCC Senior Technical Specialist Farhad Hossain.
General Manager of The Open Group India and President of Association of Enterprise Architect Dr Pallab Saha presented the keynote at the function participated by officials of different ministries and organisations of the government.
Addressing the programme, Arefin said the verification of NID has been conducted 17.5 crore times using the National e-Service Bus, demonstrating the platform's efficacy in ensuring interoperability and availability of government services.
He pointed out that certain government organisations have to spend a substantial amount of money for significant gathering information and developing separate databases for various tasks. “By establishing a connection with the National e-Service Bus, they could avoid redundant efforts and expenses involved in developing databases already available on the platform.”
Arefin urged government agencies to align their software services with the guidelines and standards of the Bangladesh National Digital Enterprise Architecture (BNDA) and integrate them with the National e-Service Bus.
This integration, he said would streamline operations, enhance data sharing, and promote a cohesive digital ecosystem throughout the government.
With the objective of developing a whole-of-government approach, the BNDA platform aims to bring uniformity to software currently separately developed by different government agencies, enabling interoperability, he added.