Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) has officially launched the long-awaited .bd second-level domain, such as example.bd, to strengthen the country's IT and digital economy. The new domain system allows local entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers, and general users to register shorter, more appealing, and nationally representative domain names. Before the launch, BTCL held a three-month 'sunrise period' enabling existing .com.bd users to reserve their corresponding .bd domains, helping prevent name conflicts and cyber-squatting.

Alongside the domain rollout, BTCL introduced a transparent, technology-driven reseller system through which customers can purchase domains directly from approved resellers listed on BTCL’s website. The company issued several guidelines to ensure proper domain use, including restrictions on obscene or provocative names, bans on resale or leasing of domains, and priority allocation for government agencies. Disputes will be jointly resolved by BTCL and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

Experts believe the initiative will make Bangladesh’s domain management more secure and internationally compliant, reinforcing the nation’s digital infrastructure and sovereignty.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday inaugurated an e-learning initiative in 12 schools across the three hill districts of Bangladesh. The virtual launch took place from the state guesthouse Jamuna, connecting Yunus with teachers and students from three primary and nine secondary schools. The program will gradually expand to 149 selected schools in the region. Officials from the Prime Adviser’s Office and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs attended the event.

During the ceremony, Yunus acknowledged the government’s delay in ensuring internet access in remote areas and emphasized the need to reach all 3,500 schools quickly. He highlighted that e-learning would allow students to learn from teachers anywhere in the world, improving education quality despite local teacher shortages. Yunus also noted that internet connectivity could enhance access to healthcare and information in remote communities.

Adviser Supradeep Chakma of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs said the initiative fulfills a government promise and marks a new chapter in education for the hill region, aiming to connect it more closely with the rest of Bangladesh and the world.

France’s National Assembly has passed a bill aiming to ban social media use for children under 15, seeking to protect them from excessive screen time and its negative effects. The bill, strongly supported by President Emmanuel Macron, was approved after a lengthy session from Monday to Tuesday night and will now move to the Senate for further approval. Macron described the measure as a major step forward in safeguarding French youth.

The proposed law also includes restrictions on mobile phone use in high schools. If enacted, France would become the second country after Australia to impose such strict limits on minors’ social media access. The law would take effect at the start of the 2026 school year, with social media companies required to deactivate non-compliant accounts by December 31, 2025. Renaissance Party leader and former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expressed hope that the Senate would approve the bill by mid-February.

A recent report by France’s public health agency ANSES warned that platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram negatively affect teenagers’ mental health, especially among girls. The law will exclude educational and encyclopedic platforms and introduce a European-level age verification system.

Faiz Ahmad Tayeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, has called for building the foundation of a digital economy from the upazila level. He made the remarks on Monday at the inauguration of 100 upazila service and ICT training centers under the Establishing Digital Connectivity (EDC) project, held at the ICT Division’s conference room.

Tayeb emphasized that to build a truly digital Bangladesh, ICT services and skills must expand beyond the capital to upazilas and grassroots levels. He said 100 centers are already operational, and work on another 179 will be completed within six months. The centers will provide ICT skill development for students and freelancers, cybersecurity training for government officials, and ICT support for educational institutions. Office space, training facilities, and co-working areas have been ensured for local ICT officers.

ICT Division Secretary Shish Haydar Chowdhury described the establishment of upazila ICT service and training centers as a major milestone for the division, noting that 303 of the targeted 400 centers are now active, including the 100 launched today.

Two mobile apps designed to identify and avoid American-made products have surged to the top of the Danish App Store following renewed tensions between Denmark and the United States. The rise comes after Trump’s threats to take control of Greenland, a Danish territory, prompted European consumers to push back. The apps, NonUSA and Made O’Meter, help users scan product barcodes to check their origin and suggest local alternatives. NonUSA reached the No. 1 position on Wednesday, while Made O’Meter climbed to No. 5.

According to market intelligence provider Appfigures, downloads for these apps have increased by 867% over the past week across iOS and Android platforms. The Danish App Store, which also serves Greenland, has seen a wave of grassroots boycotts that include canceling U.S. vacations and dropping subscriptions to American streaming services. NonUSA’s top markets now include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland, reflecting a broader Nordic participation in the movement.

Although Denmark’s app market is relatively small, the surge underscores how political tensions can quickly influence consumer behavior and digital trends across the region.

Iran’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Company chief Behzad Akbari announced that internet services across the country will be restored “today or tomorrow.” The Fars news agency reported the statement on Saturday, citing domestic media. According to AFP, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council approved the reconnection late Friday and informed the Ministry of Communications. Akbari said the issue would be resolved soon, though technical complications may delay full restoration.

Fars noted that international internet access briefly returned for about 30 minutes before being cut off again, a development also recorded by monitoring group NetBlocks. Officials from the communications ministry said technical issues were hindering complete reconnection. Iran had severed its digital links with the world on January 8 following widespread protests, during which authorities launched a harsh crackdown. Human rights groups reported thousands of deaths, while the government claimed 3,117 fatalities, including 2,427 labeled as “martyrs.”

Yusuf Pezeshkian, presidential adviser and son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, urged the government to restore internet access, warning that prolonged shutdowns would deepen public dissatisfaction and widen the gap between citizens and the state.

An IT Training and Incubation Center under the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority was inaugurated in Meherpur on Friday. Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant (Consensus) Monir Haidar said the center would be highly effective in developing skilled manpower for the IT sector and open new opportunities for local youth. He urged residents to make the best use of the facility.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and ICT, Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb, stated that the center aims to develop a startup ecosystem. He outlined three main objectives: supporting local entrepreneurs and small IT-based businesses with infrastructure to grow as startups, providing training in freelancing, e-commerce, and ICT skills to create quality employment, and bridging the gap between academia and industry. The center will feature a modern computer lab, startup space, incubation facilities, and a 150-seat auditorium.

All training programs will be verified by the National Skill Development Authority (NSDA) to ensure national and international recognition. The inauguration was attended by officials from government and private institutions, including the Vice-Chancellor of Meherpur University and local dignitaries.

The United Arab Emirates has implemented a new Child Digital Safety (CDS) Law that makes it a legal obligation for parents to monitor and control their children's online activities. The law transforms digital safety from a matter of parental advice into a binding legal responsibility. It imposes strict regulations on harmful online content, excessive digital use, and the collection and use of children’s personal data, assigning clear duties to parents, digital platforms, and service providers.

According to the UAE Cybersecurity Council, 72 percent of children aged eight to twelve use smartphones daily, while only 43 percent of parents regularly monitor their children's online behavior. The CDS Law applies not only to UAE-based companies but also to foreign digital platforms that target Emirati child users. It mandates age verification systems, content filtering, parental control software, and restrictions on advertising aimed at minors.

Legal expert Marina El Hachem stated that parents are now legally required to oversee children’s digital activities, prevent inappropriate account access, protect privacy and security, and report harmful or obscene content to authorities. Neglecting a child’s online safety will be treated as a legal violation under the new law.

Banglalink, one of Bangladesh’s leading digital operators, has signed a partnership agreement with Clinicall Limited to expand healthcare services through its MyBL app. The signing took place at Banglalink’s headquarters, Tiger’s Den, with senior officials from both companies present. The collaboration aims to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for millions of users by integrating doctor consultations, medicine delivery, lab tests, and insurance coverage into a single digital platform.

According to Banglalink, this partnership marks a major step toward transforming digital connectivity into everyday solutions for its customers. The initiative reflects the company’s commitment to providing meaningful digital services beyond traditional telecommunications. Clinicall will offer reliable and quality healthcare through affordable subscription plans, enhancing the MyBL app’s role as a one-stop lifestyle platform.

Banglalink stated that this effort aligns with its broader “Digital for All” vision, which includes services such as the Toffee entertainment platform and the AI-based lifestyle package Rise. The company, a subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed VEON Ltd., continues to focus on innovation and inclusive digital empowerment across Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of Bangladesh has launched the second phase of the e-bail bond service in eight districts—Manikganj, Bandarban, Meherpur, Joypurhat, Moulvibazar, Panchagarh, Jhalakathi, and Sherpur. The service was inaugurated on Wednesday at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat by Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry. The initiative aims to modernize the judicial system and reduce the suffering of litigants. Previously, the service was introduced in Narayanganj, where it has been operating successfully.

According to the ministry, the e-bail bond system allows detainees to be released within an hour through online submission, eliminating multiple procedural steps and reducing time and cost. Dr. Nazrul stated that the digital process ensures full record-keeping of signatures and prevents intentional delays. He expressed hope that the service will be expanded to all 64 districts in phases.

He further mentioned that the ministry aims to introduce the e-bail bond service nationwide within six months and expects future governments to continue this essential digital reform.

Bangladesh has introduced its first modern irrigation system, the Center Pivot Irrigation System, at the North Bengal Sugar Mill’s sugarcane farm in Bhabanipur, Baraigram, Natore. The project, implemented with technical assistance from Austria and financial support from the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation’s (BADC) Panasi Project, was officially handed over to the farm authorities after a successful trial run on Thursday morning. The system uses sprinklers attached to pipes to distribute water from above like rainfall.

The pilot project, costing Tk 3.98 crore across two sites in Natore and Pabna, was implemented by Sherpa Power Engineering with Austrian company Bayer’s cooperation. Two foreign experts, from China and Vietnam, supervised technical training. The system can irrigate 125 acres simultaneously, using less water and time than traditional methods. Officials said it will reduce water waste and improve year-round irrigation efficiency.

BADC engineers and local agricultural officers expect the technology to bring a major shift in farming efficiency, enabling uniform irrigation even on uneven land and converting fallow plots into productive farmland.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and the Dhaka Transport Owners Association have jointly launched an e-ticketing and counter-based system to organize and modernize the city’s public bus network. The system was officially inaugurated at a hotel in Dhaka on Monday, with full implementation expected within a week. Under the new system, all buses will pick up and drop off passengers only at designated stops, and passengers must purchase e-tickets through an app or device. Fares will remain within government-approved limits, and students will continue to receive half fares.

The initiative involves collaboration among DMP’s traffic and crime divisions, the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, and several transport unions, with technical support from UrbanMove Tech. The company will manage the e-ticketing operations across routes, installing QR codes at over 800 bus stops for app-based ticketing and deploying more than 3,500 ticket masters for passengers without smartphones.

Officials said the system aims to reduce traffic congestion, prevent unsafe competition among buses, and improve passenger safety and comfort. It follows eight months of consultations with relevant ministries, city corporations, and transport stakeholders.

Digital rights activists have warned that Iran’s government is advancing plans to permanently disconnect the country from the global internet. According to a report by the censorship-monitoring group Filterwatch, only a small, government-approved group will be allowed limited access to international networks, while the general public will be restricted to a domestic “national internet” isolated from the global web. Filterwatch chief Amir Rashidi described the system as a state-controlled parallel network containing only government-approved search engines, messaging apps, and streaming services.

Activists allege that Chinese technology and Huawei equipment are being used to build this surveillance and censorship infrastructure, enabling authorities to monitor and block internet traffic. Since January 8, Iran has faced one of its longest internet blackouts, lasting over 200 hours, surpassing Egypt’s 2011 shutdown. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani suggested the restrictions could continue until March 20, coinciding with the Nowruz holiday.

Analysts cited by The Guardian said the move reflects a decade-and-a-half of planning since the 2009 protests, when Iran began developing its domestic internet system. A 2025 law now criminalizes possession of Starlink terminals, with penalties up to death, as authorities use Russian and Chinese jammers to block satellite signals.

Bangladesh’s Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service, launched in 2017, has failed to achieve expected success even after eight years. The service allows users to retain their mobile numbers while switching operators, but experts and stakeholders say regulatory and operational barriers have hindered its growth. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) granted licenses to multiple firms, yet the service remains underutilized.

According to the report, key obstacles include BTRC and mobile operators’ inaction, high taxes imposed by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and restrictions preventing operators from offering incentives. The current MNP fee of Tk 450 is considered too high compared to neighboring countries, where similar services cost Tk 90–100. Additionally, BTRC’s directive blocking masked SMS messages to MNP users has created further complications, particularly for financial and social platforms.

Experts suggest revising the 2018 MNP guidelines, reducing taxes, and allowing promotional incentives to make the service more accessible and attractive. They also emphasize public awareness campaigns to prevent waste of resources and improve adoption.

Bangladesh’s leading industrial group RFL, through its subsidiary Rangpur Metal Industries Limited, has signed an agreement with Japanese tech-based startup Glafit Bangladesh Limited to jointly establish electric vehicle charging stations across the country. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at RFL Group’s headquarters in Badda, Dhaka, where RFL Managing Director RN Paul and Glafit Bangladesh Managing Director Tomoyaki Furuoka signed on behalf of their respective companies.

RN Paul stated that the use of eco-friendly vehicles such as scooters is growing among the country’s youth, and RFL recently launched its ‘Raido’ brand of electric scooters. However, the lack of fast-charging facilities remains a major obstacle for the sector. The company plans to set up charging and battery-swapping stations nationwide with Glafit providing technical support. Initial installations will focus on areas with higher electric vehicle usage, later expanding based on demand.

Furuoka added that Glafit’s mobile app will allow users to connect with the ecosystem, locate nearby charging points, monitor battery status, and track usage details.