Published :
Only 43.6 per cent of individuals in rural areas use the internet, compared to 75.7 per cent in urban areas, the survey shows.
The findings were disclosed on Thursday at the BBS headquarters in Agargaon under the “Survey on Measuring ICT Access and Usage”. Nationwide, 53.4 per cent of people use the internet. However, access remains heavily skewed towards cities, where over three-quarters of residents are online, while less than half of rural citizens have access.
High service costs appear to be a key barrier, with 43.6 per cent of respondents citing affordability as a reason for not using internet services.
Mobile phone usage remains widespread, with 88.4 per cent of the population using mobile devices, although only 64.4 per cent own one. In contrast, computer usage is still limited, with just 11.3 per cent of citizens reporting access.
At the regional level, Dhaka has the highest household internet penetration, while Panchagarh ranks the lowest. A similar pattern is observed in computer usage, with the highest levels in Dhaka and the lowest in Thakurgaon.
The survey also highlights user behaviour. Over the past three months, 64.4 per cent of internet users searched for government jobs, followed by 49.8 per cent who accessed sports-related content. Only 11.6 per cent reported engaging in online shopping.
In terms of digital skills, 84.4 per cent of users can perform basic functions such as copy-paste. Meanwhile, 78.5 per cent reported taking immediate action after facing cyber incidents.
Despite this, cybersecurity risks remain notable, with 50.5 per cent of users identifying viruses and malware as the most common threats.
Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/hasinas-extradition-request-being-examined-india
