Increase in use of mobile phones in Sri Lanka

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

There has been a significant increase in the use of mobile phones in the country where at present the number exceeds 19 million.

This growth is an indication that mobile phones have become a popular mode of communication. Since the introduction of mobiles to Sri Lanka with 2,644 phones in1992, a recorded number of 17.3 million phones had been reported in 2010, said Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Sri Lanka (TRC) Director General Anusha Palpita.

"There are five mobile operators and three fixed line operators in the country at present.Bharathi Airtel has recorded one million subscribers in Sri Lanka within the shortest period of time among the mobile operators.

"There is no room for a new player. However, telecommunication Regulatory Commission will be looking seriously at the possibility of introducing a new player for the broad band category if the current players are unable to deliver.

"The increase in the board band penetration of the country has a positive correlation on its GDP growth and it drives economic growth. Sri Lanka offers the lowest broad band rates per GB in the Asian region and will focus mainly on broad band development strategies starting from school level in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

"There will be a general focus on increasing ICT penetration in the country, he said.The country’s education sector is subjected to reforms arising from the demand in the technological development in global context and the Ministry of Education has recognized the importance of ICT, thus making it a compulsory subject in the school curriculum from 2013.

"The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission will contribute on funding amounting to Rs one billion for this school project which is a concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to enable increased ITC penetration in the country especially targeting the younger generation. There will be a selection criteria for schools to receive this facility.

"In each district 500 to 1,000 schools with basic infrastructure facilities will be selected to provide computers and laboratory facilities. However, there will be certain standard to be maintained as the intention is to ensure proper use of computers by students. Tenders will be called for the supply of computers and once this project is implemented 10,000 computers will be given for selected school within a year. The project is expected to commence shortly.

"The schools for the ICT development project will be identified with the support of the Ministry of Education, President Office, the Ministry of telecommunication and Information Communication Technology Agency. There will be assistance from the Divisional Secretaries to ensure facilities are utilized properly and gain maximum benefit.

"The school project will, start from Badulla district and will be implemented in the rest of the districts during this year. Necessary staff will be trained by the ICTA and TRC funding will ensure the success of the project. The progress of the project will be evaluated periodically and to continue the programme and address the short comings.

“We will be using limited funding to reach the target of increasing penetration and expect this to positively contribute in increasing ITC penetration,” Palpita said.