public sector

Definition
The part of the economy concerned with providing basic government services. The composition of the public sector varies by country, but in most countries the public sector includes such services as the police, military, public roads, public transit, primary education and healthcare for the poor. The public sector might provide services that non-payer cannot be excluded from (such as street lighting), services which benefit all of society rather than just the individual who uses the service (such as public education), and services that encourage equal opportunity.

Source:www.investorsworld.com Accessed date:20.03.12 Hint: www. Bangladesh .com

Communication - Keeping in Touch in Bangladesh

Communication systems are a integral part of any country's infrastructure. When traveling to another country tourists need to know how they can communicate with family and friends back home. Whilst Bangladesh's communication systems are somewhat underdeveloped, they are being improved. Internet access in Bangladesh is available in the larger cities. While there are a variety of methods of communication in Bangladesh's cities, visitors may find it difficult to find similar forms of communication in rural areas. Telephones Bangladesh's landline telecommunications system is owned by the state. The Bangladesh Telephone and Telegraph Board is the organization that controls telecommunications in the country. Besides BTTB, which operates in all urban areas, there are two private operators. Bangladesh Rural Telecom Authority and Sheba Telecommunications provide telephone services to rural areas. Digital telephone systems are being introduced into Bangladesh. If you would like to phone someone in another country from Bangladesh you need to dial the following: dial 00; dial country code; dial city code; dial telephone number. The international code for Bangladesh is +880. Mobile telephone coverage is somewhat limited. For more information on cellular phone usage in Bangladesh, visit the Bangladesh SMS page on this site.

Internet Access Several Internet cafs are scattered through the main cities of Bangladesh. Certain hotels may also offer Internet access to their guests. VSAT is used to connect to the Internet in Bangladesh. Some 54 Internet Service Providers operate in the country. Satellite Internet in Bangladesh enables individuals in areas where it is not possible to access the Internet via terrestrial means to connect to the Internet. The Internet is somewhat underutilized in Bangladesh due to high charges, underdeveloped telecommunications, a lack of support, poor awareness of this service and so on. However, extensive efforts are being made to increase the population's access to the Internet as it is a great educational tool. Bangladesh's Internet country code is ".bd." Mass Media Mass media is an important method of transmitting information and current news to the population. For more information on mass media in Bangladesh, visit the following pages on this site: Bangladesh TV, Bangladesh Radio and Newspapers in Bangladesh Post/Mail The Post Office in Bangladesh is a government department that provides the community with a variety of postal products and services. Post is one of the cheapest methods of communication and Bangladesh's service is quite efficient. Services offered by the post office include the mailing of letters, handling parcels, track and trace, courier delivery, foreign money order, e-Post, financial services, post boxes and more. Airmail to Europe takes between three and four days.

SMS The number of cellular phone subscribers in Bangladesh has been growing at an enormous rate in recent years, sometimes more than doubling each year. With the introduction of the Bangladeshi governments deregulation process, it is believed that the mobile market will continue to improve at this impressive rate. New cellular operators that have entered the scene have also contributed to a more competitive market, meaning subscribers benefit from lower charges and improved services. Interestingly, this massive growth in Bangladesh's mobile market has also been a boost to the economy, creating some 240 000 jobs. Bangladesh's cellular companies include: GrameenPhone Ltd banglalink Aktel/TM Int'l CityCell Warid Telecom International Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd Cellular phone coverage in Bangladesh is currently at around 90% and will increase in the future. Cellular operators offer a variety of products to their subscribers including prepaid services and

contracts. Companies are continually competing and therefore always looking for ways to improve their services, for example by adding EDGE and 3G. One of the most popular cellular services in Bangladesh is SMS or Short Message Service. By means of SMS you can send brief text messages quickly and easily to friends and family. Many find this a less expensive form of communication. Certain online companies offer free SMS to Bangladesh. They will usually include an advertisement at the end of your message. Using these free SMS's to Bangladesh is a great way to keep in touch when you're on holiday in a different country. International roaming is available in Bangladesh. Other options for making cellular calls or sending SMS's in Bangladesh is to hire a cellular phone or purchase a Bangladesh SIM card.