Bangladesh’s adoption of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) stands at just 18 per cent, compared with 66 per cent across South Asia, exposing a wide gap in the country’s transition to the newer internet addressing standard.
Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) Director General Jia Rong Low highlighted the disparity at the 22nd Bangladesh Network Operators Group (bdNOG) conference in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday, warning that the country’s slow adoption was not a positive sign for network security.
“Network security is not a choice. It is a necessity,” Low said. He also announced that Bangladesh would host the South Asian Network Operators Group conference in 2027.
Industry representatives called for government intervention to speed up IPv6 implementation, saying official support would make the transition easier.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Director General for engineering and operations Brigadier General Shafiul Azam Parvez said there was no alternative to IPv6 and urged the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) to promote its adoption nationwide.
The regulator would consider taking action if the industry submitted proposals, he said.
ISPAB President Mohammad Aminul Hakim called for closer cooperation among ISPAB, bdNOG and APNIC to strengthen the country’s internet service industry.
The conference, held at Long Beach Hotel, concluded a four-day programme that began on November 11. Three days of technical workshops brought together 105 engineers from internet service providers across Bangladesh.
bdNOG Secretary General Barkatul Alam Biplob said the workshops focused on advanced routing and enterprise network security, with more international speakers attending this year’s conference than in previous editions.
Local keynote speaker Gazi Zihadul Kabir highlighted a growing mismatch between bandwidth consumption and revenue growth in South Asia and presented possible solutions.
Business Promotion Council (BPC) CEO Mursheda Zaman, ISPAB Secretary General Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan and bdNOG Trustee Chair Rashed Amin Biddut also attended, alongside members of APNIC’s Executive Council.
Organised by bdNOG and co-organised by ISPAB with support from the Commerce Ministry’s BPC, the event had Amber IT as its internet partner.
The programme provided a platform for network engineers, operators and technology professionals to exchange technical knowledge, share operational experience and strengthen industry collaboration.
