Overview of Optimax
1. Introduction Now a days the whole world is running through the information superhighway. After the Second World War a tremendous change occurs in the civilizations journey of mankind with a chain reaction linked through information trade culture and technology. Life becomes very simple and easy day by day because of the availability, easy accessibility and unimagined development of information technology. The whole world is now in the capture of the fingers. Just press one button and connected with the whole world. Trade, commerce, sports culture, political and economical condition, weather, communication etc. The whole world specially the developed countries of the world get the blessings of information technology. Now the winds of modern information technology come in the touch of the developing countries of the world. 1.1 Objective of the Study We are now living in the world of information technology. While we are connected with the information superhighway, automatically we arc related with information technology of the whole world. By considering I he present situation we have no option to put back our self. In the modern world day by day competition is increasing. Traditional old business model is now obsolete. For the reason of increasing competition the efficiency and effectiveness of the business organizations of the world is necessitate. Also in this competition there are lot of Bangladeshi organizations. Those organizations do a lot for the country and also for the country's economy. lf the domestic companies want to sustain in this competition in that case competitive edge & marginal advantage is necessary. Develop technology in any form help to create a path for going forward. To get the competitive advantages and to preserve the advantages information is needed and that can be get only through modern information technology,
The major objectives of the study arc as follows: •
To provide some basic information about a (SP in Dhaka city.
•
To analyze and find out the major marketing strategies of a ISP in Dhaka city.
•
To determine what Internet services are provided by a ISP and what are its rates.
•
To determine the present performance ISI in Dhaka City.
•
To determine the problems regarding the ISPs in Dhaka City.
•
To recommend for the improvements of the ISP industry of Bangladesh.
1.2 Major finding of the study • The organization does not have Human resource department. •
The organization does not have prescribed salary structure.
•
The organization does not provide any provident fund or gratuity facilities.
•
The account department does not have any professional accountant
•
The marketing department needs more training on marketing future projects.
•
The marketing executive must provide cell phone for efficient communication with their client.
•
The organization must try to gets more T & T lines for the dial up networks.
The organization has to motivate the different personnel and provides different facilities to get best effort from them. 1.3 Limitation of the Study In spite of sincere effort in preparing this study, I have faced some problem and the study has been suffered by a number of limitations. The limitations are given below: o Maximum persons of the designated organizations are busy with their activities o The time limitation i,e time was not enough conduct a complete survey. o Due to maintenance of business secrecy they were reluctant to show their sales records and state their business policy. o It is difficult to collect unpublished data to make the report more authentic. 2. Organizational Overview 2.1 About the Company OptiMax Communication Ltd is providing bandwidth from HAWAII PACIF1C TELEPORT with its own VSA'T one of the top information technology companies in Bangladesh.
Optimax Communication Ltd is committed It) producing high quality. Network solutions (LAN, MAN. WAN), Server setup, software development, web development etc. We enable our customers with tools to send and receive unlimited amounts of Information anytime, anywhere, lo anyone. OptiMax Communication Ltd has founded in 2003 and headquartered in Rd-23. Hs-90. Block-A, Banani. Dhaka-1213. The Company has built an Internet-based network that provides a full suite of cost-effective business class network services, designed to meet the high communication service standards and evolving needs of large business. OptiMax Communication Ltd. has started its venture with truly Optical Fiber Submarine Cable Supported Network over (Gulshan-1, Gulshan-2 Banani & Baridliani lo ensure uninterrupted and dependable service to our valued customers. The company install Sun Solaris Server. Corn-21 & ARRIS CMTS. SDSI-ADSI, LINK. Direct Fiber Optic Link through Media Convener. WIRELLSS BROADBAND INTLRNI'T, Web Database Server and network Solutions like the award winning DEC Hub 900 Multi-switch router 4500 with completely redundant network backbones. OptiMax service comprises of 24 hours a day 365 days a year uninterrupted access, online customer service, technical support, helpdesk. complementary initial training for our clients professional in-depth training on the usage, web development, software development. I AN solution and main more solutions. OptiMax Communication Ltd. feels proud to provide bandwidth from HAWAII PACIFIC TELKPORT (The satellite provider of ATN BANGLA, N-tv, Channel I, City cell Digital, AKTEL & Bangla Link) and going to be declared itself as one of the best Internet Service Provider in the country. 2.2 Why Optimax Following are a few of many features that place QptiMax Communication Ltd much ahead of all other competitors;
Experience Our list of customers presented previously also shows that we have an extensive client base that clearly shows that we have the experience that is crucial for successful implementation for such an important task as the one at hand. Only we have the required experts on our management team with enough training and exposure to be able to complete and maintain such tasks smoothly and reliably. Coverage The extensive coverage gives us the capacity to offer our clients simple and easy expansion facilities. Reliability The extremely important aspect of reliable and stable connectivity has been kept in :mind throughout the planning and establishment of our entire network. Our Node stations are connected with redundant Links, so that if one node station becomes temporarily unavailable, others can still operate independently and provide a smooth link to the customers. Cost-Effectiveness We offer the best cost-effective solutions in the market. Our aim is to provide the lowest prices to our customers while maintaining a no-compromise level of service. Technology & Equipment We have used Fiber Optic backbone for providing Broadband Internet service. We have installed Com 21 CMTS, Sun Solaris Server, Motorola brand Nodes, Mini-bridge, Line Extender, Taps & other connectors & equipments into our Network. We have been providing Com21 Cable Modem at our customer end. We have our own VSAT and taken service from Hawaii Teleport. 2.3 Visions Internet technology has revolutionized the whole concept of information technology. With the advent of internet the barrier of time and space have been mitigated. If we want to develop our nation there is no other way but to embrace the IT technology. This single most technology can bring about prosperity and alleviate the existing 'unemployment problem of the country, Government alone cannot do everything with its limited resources to develop this sector. Banks, insurance companies, NGO's should come forward to extend their hands to help develop this sector by encourage young IT professionals who are willing to start their
businesses in this field. Once get started it can bring revolution in the country like many other countries have done in the past. It is time for us to wake up and lead the nation towards a promising future. 2.4 Solutions for Fiber Optical Separate Internet Access Item Cable Modem (Com-21) Single PC Setup (500/-) Cable Modem Configuration (500/-) Power Adapter Registration Fee Installation Fee (RG-6 cable RG-6 Connector UTP cable & UTP
Amount (Tk.) 9,000/Free of Cost 500/Free of Cost 2,000/Free of cost
connector) One Internet Protocol Number 20 MB E-mail space with One E-mail ID Special Discount Total Amount to be paid
Free of Cost Free of Cost 2500/9,000/- (Fixed one Time Cost)
Monthly Usage Charge for internet Access (Single PC) Item & Speed (Shared Band with) Usage Charge for 24 kbps Usage Charge for 32 kbps Usage Charge for 48 kbps Usage Charge for 56 kbps Usage Charge for 64 kbps Usage Charge for 96 kbps Monthly Usage Charge for internet Access (Double PC)
Amount (Tk.) 850/=Month* l,100/=Month* 1,500/=Month* 2,000/=Montli* 2,700/=Month* 4,000/=Month*
Item & Speed (Dedicated Half Duplex Bandwidth) Amount (Tk.) Usage Charge for 32 kbps l,800/=Month* Usage Charge for 48 kbps 2,600/=Month* Usage Charge for 64 kbps 3,800/=Montli* Usage Charge for 96 kbps 6,500/=Month* Item & Speed (Dedicated Semi Duplex Bandwidth) Amount (Tk.) Monthly Usage Charge for Internet Access (Corporate Option) Item & Speed (Dedicated Semi Duplex Band with Usage Charge for 48 kbps Usage Charge for 56 kbps Usage Charge for 64 kbps Usage Charge for 128 kbps Usage Charge for 256 kbps Usage Charge for 512 kbps * Excluding 15% Vat
Amount Tk. 6,000/=Month* 7,500/=Month* 9,000/=Month* 19,0007=Month* 35,000/=Month* 70,000/=Month*
** Up to modem & server. User must ensure networking among all the workstations. Service Contract After Setup if the client required any additional services like troubleshooting, O/S installation, Internet connectivity in the LAN, mail server set up or re-configuration etc. the clients are requested to sign a separate Service Contract. Time of Connection Within three days after sign up the agreement except any Govt. & weekly holiday. 2.5 About Technical Support & Customer Service a) Normal Working Day (Saturday to Thursday): Onsile Support: 9am to 6pm Help Desk: 9am to 8,00pm b) Govt. & Weekly Holidays (Friday & Others): Help Desk: 9am to 4.30pm c) Any political unsound day: Onsite Support: 9am to 6pm Help Desk: 9am to 8.00pm rechnk-al Support Phone No; 8853753, 8853356 Ext; 19 & 14 nechnical Support Contact persons: (a) Mr. Hafljur Rahman (h) Mr.Kamru/zaman (c) Mr. Chandan (d) Mr. Reza (e) Mr. Hasan p: Client must inform their technical team at the time of problem, so that quick action in be taken to solve it.
2.6 Network through Gateway PC
OCL
Cable Modem (Com
Gateway OR
2nd PC 2.7 Networking through Switch/HUB/Router
OCL
Cable Modem (Com 21)
1st PC
2nd PC Two LAN Cards are needed in Gateway PC.HUB is a slow device which cannot detect the IP.
2.8 Networking through Router – 4 ports
OCL
Cable Modem (Com 21)
2.7 ROUTER
1st PC
2nd PC
Router can distribute the speed equally in each PC.If one PC is offline then other PC will get the speed of the 1st PC. 2.9 Networking Design Suggestion Multiple PC
OCL
Cable Modem (Com 21)
Gateway OR Switch
User must ensure LAN Card in the desktop & PCMCIA Card in the laptop.Pls do not use hub in the network because hub is slow device. By using a Router client can have a smooth speed & surf the net faster. Keep the total system under UPS Volt Guard & Surge protector to avoid any kind of electrical accident. Two LAN Card is needed in the Gateway PC.Note one thing if anything goes wrong with the gateway PC then the total system will be affected. 2.10 Networking Design Suggestion Multiple PC
OCL
Cable Modem (Com 21)
Router
Switch
Mail Server
User must ensure networking among all the workstations. Client must ensure LAN Card in their desktop and PCMCIA Card in their Laptop. 2.11 Global Global Interne Interne tt
Client End
LOGICAL NETWORK DIAGRAM of OptiMax Communication Ltd. (Max Online) Hawaii Internet Gateway
Modem (Client)
Switch
OptiMax VSAT at Bangladesh
CISCO Router
Fiber Optic
Router Modem Network printer
Network Server
Workstations
Laptop Workstations
Workstation
OptiMax Communication Ltd is the only ISP which is directly connected with Hawaii Pacific Teleport through its own VSAT with 20MBPS SCPC Bandwidth. It has a strong fiber optical submarine cable supported network over Gulshan -01; Gulshan – 02, Banani & Baridhara. Not only that – OptiMax Communication Ltd has a strong back up VSAT as well as fiber optical link of SINGTEL. 2.12 Gold & Platinum Clients of Optimax 1. British High Commission(Management Annex) 2.
British High Commission (Training Center)
3.
High Commission of Canada
4.
SEDF
5.
DFID
6.
Malaysian Embassy
7.
Afghanistan Embassy.
8.
ORBIS International
9.
Oras Invest Bangladesh Ltd.
10.
Malaysian Airways
11.
Cathy Pacific
12.
PIA "
13.
Singapore Airlines
14.
Monno Fabrics Ltd.
15.
National Telecom Ltd.
16.
World Tel Bangladesh Ltd.
17.
Total Tel Ltd.
18.
The Dhaka Mercantile Cooperative Bank Ltd.
19.
The UAE Bangladesh Investment Company Ltd,
20.
TESCO
21
D1RD Group
22.
Spence Mac Bangladesh Pvt. Ltd
23.
COVEC
24.
Success Information Corp.(China)
25.
Masco Industries Ltd.
26.
SECUREX
27.
Greendale School
28.
United Elevator Ltd.
29.
MGH Group (Galileo Bangladesh Ltd.)
30.
China Geo-Engineering Coloration I>td.
31.
Quality Group
32.
Ema Group
33.
Jenny's House.
34.
Herbin Power Ltd.
35.
Hotel New Best Eastern.
36.
Marrtot Guest House,
37.
Uniconsult Guest House.
38.
Hotel Center Point.
39.
White Pearl Hotel.
40.
De Castle Hotel.
41.
Hotel Lake Castle Ltd.
42.
Hotel Lake Villa.
43.
Hotel Summer Palace.
44.
Hotel RIGS INN.
45.
Heritage Marketing Ltd.
46.
Bangladesh Language Center.
47.
Famex Trade Ltd.
48.
Consumark - Promotions
49.
ABACUS Bangladesh NMC Ltd.
50.
Dhaka Shelter Pvt. Ltd.
51.
Hey Security Services Ltd.
52.
Ever March Bangladesh Ltd.
53.
Unity Services Ltd.
54.
Rita Textiles Ltd.
55.
CMC Holidays
56.
Union Enterprise Ltd.
57.
GMZ Bangladesh Ltd.
58.
Confidence Salt Ltd.
59.
GTD Bangla Pvt, Ltd.
60.
Prominent Fluid Controls Bd.Ltd.
61.
Bangladesh Heart Research Association,
62.
BT1L
63.
The Metal Pvl. Ltd.
64.
High Officials of Malaysian/Egyptian/Quater Embassy.
65.
High Officials of Indian/Pakistan High Commission.
66.
High Officials of British/Canadian High Commission
67.
High Officials of Japan/Danish Embassy
68.
High Officials of USA/German Embassy
69.
And over 150 travel houses; 3,500 home user; 578 corporate offices as well as 1,500 small enterprises using our line in Gulshan-01, Gulshan-02, Banani & Baridhara area.
2.13 The Human Resource Scenario of Optimax Communication Ltd. Chairman Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
CEO General Manager
Administration
Technical Support
Account
Dial-Up-Network
Marketing
Broadband
3. Literature Review 3.1 What do we mean by information technology IT (Information technology) is a term that encompasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange, and use information in its various forms (business data, voice conversations, still images, motion, pictures, multimedia presentations and other forms, including those not yet conceived.) Its a convenient term for including both telephony and computer technology in the same word. It is the technology that is driving what has often been called “the information revolution”. 3.2 Definition of Information Technology According to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “Information Technology means the use of hardware, software, services and supporting infrastructure to manage and deliver information using voice, data and video”. To further define information technology and what should be included as far as the IT budget, the following information in provided : Information Technology Includes All computers with a human interface All computer peripherals which will not operate unless connected to a computer or network all voice, video and data networks and the equipment, staff and purchased services necessary to operate them All salary and benefits for staff whose job descriptions specifically includes technology; functions, i.e. network services, applications development, systems administration. All technology services provided by vendors or contractors Operating costs associated with providing information technology. All costs associated with developing, purchasing, licensing or maintaining software.
Agencies may wish to include other costs at their discretion. For example, an agency ma} wish to include digital cameras in their IT budget even though they can be operated stand alone. Data entry personnel may be included if they are considered part of the technology staff. Cost that are excluded above may be included if they are an integral part of a computer applications or would be difficult to break out because the costs are included with other information technology costs. Examples of Information Technology; Telephone and radio equipment and switches used for voice communications. Traditional computer applications that include data storage and programs to input, process, and output the data. Software and support for office automation systems such as word processing and spreadsheets, as well as the computer to run them Users PCs and software. Data networks and all associated communications equipment such as servers, bridges, routers, hubs and wiring. Peripherals directly connected to computer information systems used to collect or transmit audio, video or graphic information, such as scanners and digitizers. Voice response systems that interact with a computer database or application. Video conferencing equipment, The state radio communications network. Computers and network systems used by teachers, trainers, and students for educational purposes "Open" computer systems that monitor or automate mechanical or chemical processes and also store information used by computer applications for analysis and decision-making, such as the Metasys building management system. 3.3 Globalization & Information Technology The term Globalization is a new phenomena. It refers toward a more integrated global economic system. We live in the era of globalization. Powerful worldwide changes have altered the business environment. The change is the emergence and strengthening of the global economy.
Emergence of the global economy - globalization of markets puts new emphasis on organizational design and management control. Globalization of the world's industrial economies greatly enhances the value of information to the firm and offers new opportunities to businesses. Today, information technology provide the communication and analytic power that firms need for conducting trade and managing businesses on a global scale. To coordinate its worldwide network of distributors many companies had to develop global information systems that can track orders, delivers, and payments, communicate with distributors and suppliers operate 24 hours a day in different national environments and service local as well as international management reporting needs. In short, controlling the far-flung global corporation is a major business challenge that requires powerful information system responses. Globalization and information technology also bring new threats to domestic business firms : Because of global communication and management systems, customers now can shop in a world wide market place, obtaining price and quality information reliably, 24 hours a day. This phenomenon heightens competition and forces firms to play in open, unprotected worldwide markets. To become effective and profitable participants in international markets, firms need powerful information and communication systems. Globalization of communication is also know as information globalization and it has developed over the last century. Now a days use of Information Technology (IT) tools as telephone, faxes machines, e-mails and internet for business and commerce, learning and dissemination of knowledge is so widespread that can not be think before. The use of movies and television, radio for social welfare and social awareness also help people to gain knowledge. As the information globalization take place cost of communication reduce dramatically markets react more quickly than before capital and money transferred is no matter but a moment’s of notice. Thus information revolution has spread for and wide. 3.4 Information technology on the LDCs: a knowledge - and information based economy, information technology and systems take on great importance. For instance, information technology constitutes more than 70% of
the invested capital in service industries like finance insurance, and real state. But this scenario is for developed countries. The scenario of less developed countries are different. They are just now in the touch of the information technology. But it is a good sign. It shows a brighter picture. Many of the less development countries are not abandoned with natural resources but they have manpower. If the less developed countries can utilize their manpower, provide training, prepare to take the responsibilities of information technology management then they will be benefited. Many of the LDCs are now concentrate on this area. The good news is that many of them are also started to get the benefit. So, information technology brings a radical change in the life of the LDCs. Developed countries had been invested in the LDCs. In the near future more investment will be done. New infrastructure will established. New IT industries wilt be established. New employment opportunities will be created. Information technology brings a lot of blessing for the LDCs. If the LDCs just take the opportunities and take necessary preparation to face the challenge of information technology, no doubt they will gain. of course one thing must be considered and that is government of the LDCs must have clear foresight and the ability to utilize the opportunities. They have the responsibilities to inform the general people about IT and motivate the young generation to prepare themselves. 3.5 ISP List in Bangladesh : ISP List in Bangladesh are as follows : •
Aftab IT Ltd.
•
Access Telecom (BD) Ltd
•
Ankur
•
Agani Systems Ltd.
•
Akij Online Ltd.
•
BDcom online Ltd.
•
Bangladesh online Ltd.
•
BDjobs.com
•
BTS Communications Ltd.
•
Bijoy Online Ltd.
•
BdLUG Linux User’s Group
•
Borland Computers and Daemon Lab
•
Computer Source Ltd.
•
Connect BD Ltd.
•
Dhaka Com Ltd.
•
Dekko airnet Ltd.
•
Daffodil Online Ltd.
•
Ektoo Ltd.
•
Global Brand Pvt Ltd.
•
Global Online Service
•
Global Access Ltd.
•
Globetek Infosys
•
Grameen cybernet Ltd.
•
HRC Technologies
•
International Computer Connections
•
Information Services Network Ltd.
•
J.A.N Associates Ltd.
•
Link3 Technologies Ltd.
•
Maestro
•
Proshika Computer systems
•
Ranks ITT Ltd
•
REVE Systems
•
Spectrum Engineering Consortium Ltd.
•
Sirius Broadband Ltd.
•
Square Informatix Ltd.
•
Texas Electronics Ltd.
•
Tetterode Ltd.
•
Velki.Com (BD Server)
•
Western Network Ltd.
•
Westec Ltd.
•
Samsung Electra Telecom BD Ltd.
•
Speed Cast Ltd.
•
Partex Beverage Ltd.
•
DECode Ltd.
3.6 Internet and its use In this globalization era Internet becomes not a luxury rather a necessary part of our everyday life. So, in order to be an Internet user we have to question ourselves why we need Internet and how we can get connected with Internet within least cost and time. Multiple advantages that we can get through Internet may be known to all but the second issue use of Internet in least cost and time may be unclear for many of us. Now-a-days nobody asks what Internet c.-m dc rather what we can do by Internet. With this vast network of cables and satellites, we can make communication cheap and instantaneous. We can use it in businesses, in offices, in playgrounds, in education, in entertainment even in shopping. 4. Methodology of the study To conduct the study Optimax Communication Ltd. is taken as the sample firm. The nature of the study is descriptive. Descriptive study requires Purposive sampling Judgment sampling. When any sample is done taken by choice and not by change then it is known is purposive sampling” So the selection of the respondent is done through purposive sampling. Observation method is also applied. 4.1 Method of data collection-Method of data collection will be presented in terms of •
Primary Data Collection
•
Secondary Data Collection
Primary Data Collection : Primary data have been colleted interview with the concerned authorities of the selected organization, dealers ISP organization with the help of structured questionnaire. Some data also have been colleted observation. Secondary Data Collection :
Secondary date are very much available in this regard brochures, catalogs, officials records of designated organization and other ISPs information as secondary in this study. Duration I have completed my internship for 3 month January-March 4.2 Statistical tools and technique used To analyze and compile the different data various statistical tools as graphs pie-charts bar diagram are used. 4.3 Flow Chart Preparation of Check List for depth interview
Depth interview
Data Collection
Primary Data Collection
Secondary Data Collection
Data Analysis
Data Presentation 5. Analysis and Finding 5.1
Institutionalizing Internet in Bangladesh : Problems and Perspectives
The beginning years of Internet in Bangladesh It is only eight years ago, to be specific in 1966. Bangladesh inaugurated Internet facilities for the public, and the beginning, however meager, soon created awareness among all. Gradually over the years, this awareness has transformed the size and prospects of Internet in Bangladesh. It is also observable at the same time that Internet use here is. as it may be so in many other developing countries, more individual oriented than corporate. This observation is made to
stress that the full potential of Internet may not be realizable in this situation. The reasons for more individualistic use of Internet in Bangladesh is not far to seek. This happened due to the fact e-mails were an attraction for many people with relatives and friends living overseas. The first proper internet Service Provider (1SP) and the immediately next ones did not have the sales force to convince corporate offices to have institutional Internet. At that time, concepts of MIS and Intranet were run so much discussed as today and they were not understood by many. ISPs were not geared to provide such facilities with ease. The time that passed since then If these were the reasons for non-institutionalization of Internet in the beginning years, we must be unhappy to note that during the last eight years we have not seen many movements in this regard. Eight years may not be long time in our historical calendar, but in the light of high speed Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), this is really a long time. To be truthful, there have been many developments within the experts working in the ICT sectors, and many mistakes of the past have been recognized and many firms with the sole objectives of offering information systems including program writing and database creation have come to be established in Bangladesh. ISPs in this regard have played a substantial role, but 1 have serious doubts whether such activities have enhanced the awareness of the end users from what it was in the beginning. Education and Training in Internet This, if proven to be so. is
LI
failure the burden of which has to be borne by all of us,
including the government. Educating the private and public bodies in the best use of a new technology is an important task of the government. In Bangladesh, this has not happened very satisfactorily. Even the highest seats of learning, that is the universities have taken longer than necessary to produce well equipped experts in the ICT sectors, though in scanty number. But many private institutions have successfully produced a large number of ICT experts including Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) who are now offering excellent service to this industry. The outcome of this situation is that the ICT experts thus produced though practical work do not always possess the academic credibility and/or theoretical backgrounds, not to mention lack of appreciation of the social implications of the ICT revolutions. The result is that the
experts arc not always well geared to convince the users to the benefits of institutionalization. Organizational Internet or Institutionalizing Internet in Bangladesh The present situation of institutionalization of Internet in Bangladesh confirms the above statement in that as little as less than 20% of the total number of users of all ISPs is institutional. Some ISPs may argue the validity of this statement because there are more than 20% of institutional clients in their book. This calls for an explanation of what is meant by institutionalizing Internet, or Using Internet with an institution/organization. Strictly speaking the use of Internet within an organization for use of one department or section, even if that is for the organization does not necessarily mean "institutional or organizational Internet". Technically, only when the world wide web (www) technology is used for unifying dispersed computer based information systems in an organization, it may be called having an "organizational or institutional Internet". To the knowledgeable persons, this win mean Intranet, and that will be correct. Just unifying dispersed information through a LAN network or using radio modem will not intranet. To qualify for it being called an intranet or organizational / institutional internet. it needs to use the web technology. Why use web technology based rather than other type of networking The benefit of using Internet technology is enormous. With access rights clearly defined for limited access, total informatics systems of an organization can be accessed, used, interrogated, and new data and information input from anywhere from any Pi -with Internet facilities by the authorized personnel. One may ask that if a well developed program is used and a standard network is adopted. the same can he accomplished. This is not really that simple. Computer Based Information Systems (CBIS) always use some programs, but they may not be the same in all the sections or departments. To write an umbrella program or develop an interface program to cover all the different programs used would he hard and may he impossible, because that would mean building up 'translation' capacity to accommodate different programs in the new program. It would not also be possible to replace different programs by one, for a finance
department program will be no use to the human resources department, and so on. Web technology can overcome this kind of problem, enabling distant users to have access to information easily without having to bother what program has been used to gather, collate and present them. The astounding development of the web technology must be utilized to save time and energy. This development provides interface to all browsers to use e-mails, tile transfer and discussion groups (holding conferences). At the same time, the application of web technology means receiving information in the same way on every computer, thus facilitating best use of the j information in a coherent manner. When the social issues override technological ones Earlier we have mentioned that many education and training in the KT fields while producing technological experts may in;' produce actors who would appreciate the social contexts of such developments. The next question that may arise is whether the social is important in the technological arenas. My own view is that all technological developments including the invention of tin1 dynamite by Alfred Nobel is essentially social in that they interact with the people in the society. Without lengthening this issue, we may go to explain in what way the (IT developments, particularly the proposed Intranet touch us socially. Using the ideas of a first rank modern sociologist Anthony Giddens. writing as early as 1982. we have heard that there can be three structural elements in new developments; Structure of signification. Structure of domination and the Structure of legitimization. The first structure of signification in the information system context means the shared understanding of the function of an information system, leading to successful implementation of the system. The second one, structure of domination refers ti 1 asymmetries of resources made available. This leads to power generation within the organization out of the authoritative and a locative resources. In the Intranet context, the best example often quoted is the "selling" intranet concept to management to gain the management support that would enable the seller to act, but at the same time reproduce the domination structure of the organization. The third structure, structure of legitimization means sanctioning of the users and presenters actions and interaction. Such actions and interactions have to he conducted within an agreed framework that may be called 'norms' or even 'rules'. It is apparent from the above discussion that technology, however important, has to understand and apply social issues in their implementation, and the technologists must understand the "social".
Therefore, if we pursue the philosophy of selling Intranet or encourage organizational Internet in Bangladesh without understanding the social issues involved, we may fail
ID
achieve the true objectives of the organization we shall be working for. Even if an organization establishes Intranet on our recommendations and later they fail to achieve the objectives due to lack of understanding the social issues, it would nut be beneficial to our business. Other aspects of institutions and Internet My argument in favor of organizational Internet should not he taken to mean that individual use of Internet should be discouraged. The individual and personal Internet services that began in 1996 in Bangladesh and are still the strongest force in this arena need not he disturbed because many individuals, the lucky ones with financial resources are making very good used the Internet for their own purposes. The objective of internet institutionalization is to offer the benefit to the total workforce and for the benefit of the organizations concerned, as well as for developing the competence among them thus making them ready for the next leap forward. Using intranet does not eliminate Internet browsing, and because the ISP connection remains 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the workforce will have the added benefits of using the Internet for a very small individual cost. This aspect may be stressed by the its even if the management would defer development of Intranet for the time being. There are many institutions in Bangladesh where Internet is organisationally installed with proxy networking hut correctly speaking and according to our definition, Internet is not institutionalized here. However, in the context of impediments that we shall discuss next, it may still be a good planning to install such a system within organizations and later upgrade them to an Intranet. Impediments There arc several serious impediments in installing organizational Internet in Bangladesh. Apart from the cost of logistics, such as hardware, software, web style development and understanding, the following may also offer serious constraints: a. Public, private or semi-public organizations here have not as yet successfully computerized their information systems. This means that the information and data are
stored in old file systems, information from which is not accessible to another section and departments. A retrospective data development may be very expensive and frustrating as well. b. There are not enough transparent systems within a section or department. The management will be at pains to determine which to make available and which not as regards the past matters, c. Language problem may affect the appropriate understanding of the contents of a file by others, d. There will always be a fear that information from the organization might be leaked out, and e. It may be difficult to determine what should be minimum size of an organization that must have institutional Internet. With (he benefits of sharing information within an organization at the flick of button, the above constraints seem insignificant. Buying logistics is not a problem for many large organizations, separating classified and unclassified documents and information is already accomplished in most organizations. Using Bangla may be increased, and it may also be that we shall have Bang I a in the operating system very soon. Organizations could be explained and demonstrated how the access to information is limited to authorized personnel only, and how the restriction in use can he lifted if necessary. Any organization with a workforce deployed at different sections/departments, particularly at different locations should be qualified to receive the organizational Internet. Internet in Bangladesh At present, the business of Internet Service Providers is a very difficult one, with only a small number of Internet subscribers, and this small number also being located in the capital city of Dhaka. There are problems with dial-up systems. Broadband services arc expected to overcome the telephone problems, but radio- modem linked broadband will invariably be slower and problematic than the cabled broadband. The VOIP issue has taken a different and complicated turn, with the government monopolizing the issue and since government do not need license (a fallacy), the commercialization is harmful to businesses. Egovernance, however is virtues arc extolled and glorified, cannot be introduced in the present situation without developing information systems within the Ministries and
Departments first, overcoming language problem next and finally without having an organizational Internet or Intranet. 5.2 Submarine Optical Cable Network and Bangladesh The Government of Bangladesh has approved the transoceanic optical cable network project on March 17, 2004 in a meeting of the Executive Committee of National economic Council (ECNEC). The project will be completed in June 2005. It has been heard from many corners that Bangladesh had an opportunity long ago hut failed to materialize it. However it is better to be late than never. The project is popularly known as South East Asia-Middle East West Europe 4 (SEA-ME-WE 4). It will be a huge network of 15000 km with a capacity of 1.28 Terra bits per second. SEAMH-WE 4 will be built using an advanced technology Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) which increases data earring capacity by enabling over 100 optical carrier frequencies or wave lengths, lo be carried out on a single fiber. SEA-ME-WE 4 will be constructed by a consortium of twelve countries and would run through Indonesia, Malaysia. Singapore. Bangladesh. Sri Lanka. India, Pakistan, UAH, Saudi Arabia. Egypt. Italy and France. Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) has been entrusted with the task of implementation of Bangladesh part of the project. BTTB being the only public telecom provider, there is no question about it. Adequate attention has to be attached after accomplishment of the project. The transoceanic network will provide Bangladesh with a capacity of 10 Gigabits per second. Our present requirement is close to 50 Megabits per second i,e two hundred times less than that of (he would he capacity. Therefore, an immediate build up in capacity would he necessary to make the project viable. This will require establishment of IT enabled services, offshore software development, business process out- sourcing, massive expansion of Voice Over Internet Protocol services (Internet Telephony), establishment of video conferencing out let both in individual and corporate level, telemedicine setups, c-learning network establishment and many more of similar nature. Otherwise the essence of this project will end up in frustration. This will require a massive private sector participation. But Bangladesh so far has not be so successful to ensure a level playing ground among the private and public sect or operators.
In early nineties. Internet was gaining popularity in many countries across the globe. Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Hoard (BTTH) the Government monopoly, was the only player in the Held. It took no initiative to provide Internet services to members of the public. When the private sector paved the way for the service and created awareness about it the BTTB jumped in with the service in order eliminate the private sector operators from the market. They started the operation with Tk.O.5O per minute charge compared with that of Tk. 1.00 per minute of the private operators. The BTTB did no! separate their Internet operations from the rest of their service and got PS'I'N (Public Switched Telecom Network) i,e phone lines easily and above all the most expensive satellite link for free. In many countries the telco operator and the Internet Service Provider in public sector are separate entities. Private sector operators could remain in service through their dynamism and quality of service. BTTB extended its Internet service to all divisional and district head quarters so that the private operators can not operate there. BTTB use to provide the Internet service not for business hut to make investors platform difficult. It is often interpreted that BTTB has the responsibilities to take the services to door steps of the common mass and business out of his not of prime importance to them. But BTTB was the key player in obstructing Internet Telephony popularly known as Voice Over Internet Protocol (VolP) legal. It made best use of this opportunity. BTTB kept their subscribers captive and realized ten limes higher call charge from them than that of VolP against overseas calls. After a lung persuasion from the industry when the Cabinet decided to deregulate the VolP service they started the service without having a license from the appropriate authority. It may he recalled that they have had blocked the out going facilities of all ISP phone lines earlier so that the private sector operator can not terminate VolP calls by an internal office order. Ibis is a gross professional and ethical violation from a public entity of high statue. In another move the HT'I ft wanted to charge a substantial amount from ISPs against the usage of PSTN lines. Because the ISPs only receive calls from their user and not generate. But they declined to understand that calls received by ISPs are generated from somewhere else and they themselves disabled the outgoing of ISP phones so that the ISPs can not provide IP telephony services. They arc now poised to attach Interne! services to PSTN lines
without a password so that the private sector ISPs can he wiped out from the market for ever. Therefore, the private sector believe that if BTTB obtains the control of me submarine cable gateway there will be no chance for private sector to grow. Penetration of computers in the country is another factor for bandwidth usage. Our poor economy act as retarding factor against the deployment of computers. In order to address the problem, the Government had taken a pragmatic decision by withdrawal of taxes and VAT on computers and its peripherals. The decision was welcomed by all walks of people either engaged or interested in ICT development of the country. But recent move from the National Board Revenue clearly indicates that they are interested to impose VAT at least in retail level. The move will jeopardise the essence of the Government's highly appreciated policy of tax free computer and will eventually retard the growth of ICT. The situation will slow down the pace of bandwidth requirement challenging the usage of the up-coming submarine cable link. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) was considered as a body to ensure a level playing ground for private and public sector operators. The BTRC. could convince the civil society that they would like to control the telecom industry through least regulation. But me reality appeared to be different. The terms and conditions stated almost in all licenses issued by the BTRC are almost impossible to comply with irrespective of the licenses. Eventually they will be vulnerable to BTRC at certain point of time. But clad stain operators are at operation having no urge to obtain a license. The internet telephony was de-regulated by I he Cabinet in November 2003 hut no license has been issued by I he commission till the date of writing this article, ft is well understood in the industry, the BTRC has it own constraint in many respect. But it is also believed that the commission has no representation from private sector at policy level. Therefore, it is imperative to have a dominant private sector representative in policy making in order to fulfill the aspiration of creating a level playing field for all concerned. Ignoring this fact will not bring about change in ICT sector merely by undertaking some mighty projects only. We have long history of being late in every aspect. We learnt from our neighbor that outstanding of software could be a good source of income for our country and left no stone unturned to achieve it and realized that we were late. Therefore, it is high time for all of us to look into the prospect of this up-coming submarine cable network and be prepared before the challenge erupt. It
should be considered as a gold mine with out boundaries and our success will be largely dependant on our capacity to dig it. If we be able to maximize its capacity utilization the nation will be able to have another one with in no time. So the solution left to us is to use it as early as possible. It will not require any fund but our will only.
Figure 1.1 : Global Communication Submarine Cable Map 5.3 SUBMARINE CABLE INFRASTRUCTURE INTRODUCTION The backbone of the nation's—and indeed, of the world's—information infrastructure is now preponderantly composed of fiber optic cables. A critical element of that backbone is the world's ever-expanding network of submarine fiber optic cables. The importance of those cables could conceivably make them a potential target or targets for other states or terrorists. This appendix briefly documents the importance of the fiber optic cable network to the United States, potential vulnerabilities in the network, and the possible ramifications for the United States of a widespread network failure brought about by an act of sabotage. Over the past decade, the increased demand for bandwidth driven by the Internet, as well as the continuing international trend of privatization of national telecommunications
industries, has outstripped by far the resources offered by satellite transmission of voice and data (Petit, 1999). Instead, the fraction of transoceanic voice and data transmitted over undersea cables has grown in the past 12 years from 2 percent to as high as 80 percent in 2000 (Mandell, 2000). As demand has grown, so have the numbers of cables on the seabed. While experts differ on whether the world's fiber optic network faces a capacity "glut" or "crunch,"1 it is certain that demand for higher bandwidth will continue to grow, and with it, the capacity of cables— those currently existing and those soon to be laid—to grow hand in hand. Due to be completed this year, for instance, is the Southern Cross cable network, offering a quantum leap in carrying capacity in the Southern Pacific (up to 160 gigabytes per second) in a three-tiered ring totaling some 29,000 kilometers. Similarly advanced systems are due to come on-line in the North Atlantic as well, increasing the total transatlantic carrying capacity to more than 1,000 gigabytes per second, enough capacity for the contents of 200 compact discs to be transmitted every second (McClelland, 2000). VULNERABILITIES These fiber optic networks offer a number of security advantages over satellite communications. Fiber optic cables are thought to be much harder to "eavesdrop" (Mandell, 2000) on than satellites and have more dependable installation and repair practices (Mandell, 2000). However, those fiber optic cables are in many ways significantly more vulnerable than is commonly thought. Submarine cables already face many man-made and natural dangers. Anchors dropped from ships and dredging fishing nets are two of the most common (McClelland, 2000; ICPC, 1996). The occasionally volatile nature of the seabed can expose a previously buried segment of cable (ICPC, 1996). Between 1985 and 1987, AT&T found that its first deep-sea submarine fiber optic cable (laid between the Canary Islands, Grand Canaria and Tenerife) suffered periodic outages because of frequent attacks of the Pseudocarcharias kamoharai, or crocodile shark, on the cables.2 In deep ocean, the cables often lie unprotected on the ocean floor; cables in areas closer to the shore, where seabed activity might include fishing, are usually both armored and buried some two to three feet
deep in the ocean floor (ICPC, 1996). The cables need only be bent to suffer significant damage (ICPC, 1996). Security is an important issue, because these cables are an increasingly vital element of the global economy. As one analyst has noted, "the increase in demand is being driven primarily from data traffic from Web-enabled applications... undersea cables are becoming an integral part of the everyday telecommunications infrastructure in a world that has no boundaries" (Carlson, 2000). In short, an intentional system wide disruption of fiber optic cables could cause significant commercial damage. In particular, the ability of overseas firms to get reliable, real-time data regarding U.S. markets—and vice versa—could be substantially curtailed, potentially sparking a panic. In addition, an increasing amount of U.S. military communications occurs over these commercial networks. Disruption could significantly impede these communications. In all cases, of course, action would be taken to shift transmissions from the disrupted networks to other cables and satellite transmissions. But, as discussed above, the current satellite capacity is far exceeded by bandwidth demand. As we will see below, this problem becomes even more marked when examining the case of an island, such as Taiwan. Potential Vulnerabilities In recent years, wiring companies have focused on redundancy as an important aspect of the cable network. While early fiber optic cables were "point-to-point" systems, modern systems are configured as loops, connecting two landing stations—at least 100 kilometers away from one another—in one country to two in another. Because it would be unlikely for an isolated nautical event—a sudden shift in the seabed on which the cables rest, for instance, or an inadvertent break caused by a fishing net or a ship's anchor—to affect both cables, the systems are thought of as secure (Williams, 2000). However, the desire for security against inadvertent nautical events may have been counterproductive. When seeking adequate termination points for cables, companies have faced a relative paucity of suitable sites (relatively isolated from heavy fishing activity and strong ocean currents), particularly on the East Coast (see Table I.I). Because of this lack of
sites, and given the considerable effort in digging a trench on the seabed for the fast kilometers of the cable, then Table I.I Submarine Cables Terminating in the Northeast United States Cable Name TAT-8 BUS-1 PTAT-1
Capacity
Termination
Points (U.S.) 280 MB/s Tuckerton, N.J. 2.5GB/s Tuckerton. N. J. 420 MB/s Manasquan,
2d Termination Point
N.J. Manasquan,
CANUS-1
2.5GB/s
Gemini
N.J. 2x 15GB/s Manasquan,
Charlestown,
TAT-14
N.J. 16xIOGB/s Manasquan,
R.I. Tuckerton, N.J.
(planned) TAT-9
N.I. 560 MB/s Manahawkin,
TAT- 11
N.I. 560 MB/s Manahawkin,
N.I. TAT- 10 560 MB/s Green Hill, R.I. TAT 12/13 2x5GB/s Green Hill, R.I. Shirley. N. Y. tunneling from the ocean bed up into a beach manhole, to bring the cable ashore, cable companies have, again, especially on the East Coast, repeatedly placed cable termination points on the same shore (Chave,2000). The results of this "stacking" can be seen in Table I.I. Of 10 cable systems with a total capacity of about 206 gigabytes per second (assuming that TAT 14 begins operations as planned in 2001), six terminate in only one of the same three cities, Tuckerton, Man asquan, and Manahawkin, New Jersey. One—a self-healing loop— terminates in both Tuckerton and Manasquan. A sixth terminates in both Manasquan and Charlestown, Rhode Island. Theoretically, an attack on two or three of these sites—at the point where the cables come together in the undersea trench before coming ashore—could cause enormous damage to the entire system. For instance, a successful attack on trenches in Tuckerton and Manasquan and Charlestown would eliminate all but 11 gigabytes per second of carrying capacity in that region—a 95 percent cut.
Similarly, all submarine cables but one terminating in the south of the United States terminate at one of three points in Florida: Vero Beach, Palm Beach, and Hollywood. Of course, it is important not to overstate the potential problem. After all, the United States is not isolated—some transmissions could be rerouted through systems in Canada and South and Central America. However, given that the vast majority of transatlantic and transpacific cables terminate in the United States, the prospect of a concerted attack on these cables is troubling. Moreover, this point yields an interesting counterexample: that of Taiwan. Unlike the United States, Taiwan would be unable to depend on a vast overland information infrastructure beyond its borders in the event of damage to its fiber optic lifelines. A recent example of the chaos potentially caused by communications outages is that of Australia. One cut cable in the SEA-WE-ME-3 network leading from Australia to Singapore caused Australia's largest Internet provider—Telstra—to lose up to 70 percent of its Internet capacity (Miller, 2000; LaCanna, 2000; Park, 2000a and 2000b). As seen in Table 1.2, a recent survey of the number of international submarine cables reaching Taiwan is particularly disconcerting. Four out of five undersea fiber optic cables reaching Taiwan do so at either Fangshan or Toucheng (the fifth, a "self-healing loop" reaches Taiwan at both, meaning that both cables would have to be damaged for Taiwan to be cut off). Two more planned cables have landing Table 1.2 Submarine Cables Reaching Taiwan Cable GPT Hon-Tai 2 APC APCN SEA-ME-WE-3 China-
Capacity 280 MB Is 420 MB/s 2-3x560MB/s SGB/s 2.5 GB/s U.S. 4x20GB/s
Termination Points (Taiwan) Fangshan Fangshan Toucheng Toucheng Toucheng and Fangshan Fangshan
(Planned) APCN2 (Planned) 2fpx8dxlOGB/s Tanshui H-P-T (Planned) 4fpx2dxlOGB/s Fangshan SOURCE: Charts on the Web site of the ICPC, available at http:/ / www.iscpc. org/cabledb. areas at Fangshan. Only one planned cable is due not to land at either Fangshan or Toucheng. In short, Taiwan's ability to send and receive data over submarine cables might
be significantly impaired by an attack on cables leading into either landing area. A wellorchestrated set of undersea attacks on the cable "trenches" at both locations might well have a sudden and calamitous effect on Taiwan's ability to communicate with the outside world. This information may well have increased relevance in light of China's renewed emphasis on information warfare. Conclusion By 1969, analysts had perceived vast potential military and economic benefits in cable's exploitation (IISS, 1969). With the explosion in importance of fiber optic networks (see figures I.I, 1.2,1.3, and 1.4 to
Figure I.2—Growth in Satellite Communication SOURCE: Euroconsult. NOTE: Chart assumes that a pair of 36-MHz equivalent transponders will yield approximately 40 Mbps transmission capacity. Transponder inventory refers to available capacity in orbit (minus satellites retired) or already under construction at the endofMarch2000.
Figure 1.3—Growth in Cable Communications NOTE: Each 10GPS of cable capacity can carry approximately 700,000 calls at once, assuming that five call paths are derived from each standard 64 Kbps circuit. Compare the growths of satellite communications, cable, communications, and submarine cable bandwidth), this potential has been realized and will continue to grow; at the same
time, however, so will the attendant vulnerability. The submarine fiber optic cable network is of great importance to the United States (see Figures 1.5 and 1.6 for a glance at the cables terminating on each coast). Moreover, constraints on cable laying mean that several cables are likely to be bundled together, offering a potentially lucrative target for sabotage. In most industry publications, however, little attention is given to the possibility of deliberate attack on the fiber optic network. Indeed, one of the few discussions of the possibility says simply that "while undersea cables could be cut, the practice of burying the in-shore segments makes this difficult; the mid-ocean portions are hard to find without a map and help from shore-based monitoring stations" (Mandell,2000). Given the above, however, it is clear that more attention should be paid to the potential for Figure 1.5
deliberate attacks on the global fiber optic cable network (see figures 1.7 and 1.8 for a look at some of the cables terminating in Asia and Europe). Currently, for instance, shore authorities have positioned radars and occasionally scheduled flyovers for areas in New Jersey that might be targeted (Chave, 2000). The NR-2 with the capacity to maneuver and search on the seabed may be the most valuable asset of all in monitoring the status and security of cables terminating in the United States and on the shores of our allies.
Figure : 1.7
Figure 1.8
Figure 1.9 Submarine Cables Terminating on the East Asia
5.4. Different Marketing Strategies of Optimax Communication Ltd. Regarding Broadband Network Internet Connection.
OptiMax Communication Ltd is becoming the unparallel market leader in Bangladesh in providing Intranet solutions as well as broadband Internet services for its price and dedicated customer service. OptiMax Communication Ltd has a distinguished and satisfied client to whom we have already provided our services. Within Dhaka, OptiMax Communication Ltd has a fiber optic backbone spanning the city, focusing prime locations Gulshan-1 & 2, Baridhara, Banani & adjacent areas enabling the company to provide broadband connection and WAN connectivity to clients based anywhere within this area and its suburbs. Our infrastructure includes HFC backbone links between our POP's, Client premise Equipment (Cable Modem). We have established redundant links between our POP's to ensure 99.8 % network uptime, barring any natural calamities. OptiMax is committed to expand its nationwide network within the end of the year 2005. Along this path, more new nodes will be developed in order to pick up more demand and provide a wider range of services. Of equal importance is that OptiMax Communication Ltd would like to deliver QoS (Quality of Service) to customers. 5.5 Marketing and Sales Activities & Strategies OptiMax Communication Lid is operating its business with Bandwidth only in four localities -Gulshan-01, Gulshan-02, Banani & Baridhara. For marketing & sales of the product the company apply several activity & strategy - these are: (a) Door to door visit — both corporate and home user (h) Distribute leaflet through paper public meeting places (c) Set up Banner, festoons, posters, stickers (vehicles and other places) & billboards (d) Marketing through phone (Direct call, SMS etc.) (e) Giving advertisement in daily news papers, weekly & monthly magazines (f) Participating in all fairs (related with the product) (g) Creating dealers, commission agents & opinion leaders,
(h) Joint program with other well reputed companies (i) Giving advertisements in all electronic media (j ) Offer Special Packages in special days (k) Monitoring other companies with the same product and then give customize offer to all clients (1) Attend all potential customers whenever & wherever they want for marketing & sales (m) Customer service round the clock (n) Campaign in all V related institutions & firms (o) Distributing gift items to the present & potential customers (p) Motivating the marketing & sales team (q) Push sale (r) Make all the employees work at least 12 hours (s) Arrange concerts & social activities. 5.6 Terms & Conditions •
All (Cheque) payments should be made in the name of "OptiMax Communication Ltd.
•
As per company policy, cost for the cable modem & 1st month usage bill must be fully paid in advance as sign up tees.
•
Monthly Bill for the Internet usage is payable within the 10 th of every current month in advance. A fraction bill will be sent after giving the connection (If necessary).
•
15% VAT to be charged for Monthly Usage. This rate will be valid for next 30 days.
•
One month prior notice must be given before closing the line (Temporary or permanently) from client end.
•
OptiMax Communication Ltd. reserves the right to change the above terms & conditions as and when needed.
5.7 Specialty of Optimax communication Ltd Their wide range of data & connectivity solutions can give the off-the-shelf instant access as well as highly customized solutions specifically designed to meet your needs. These solutions include: Broadband Internet through Cable Modem
Broadband Access through cable modem uses proven technology to deliver high speed, dedicated broadband Internet connectivity directly to your business or home office over a broadband link. It can also be used to provide a branch office or teleworker with a secure, private connection to a corporate network. Networking Solutions for Corporate Offices OptiMax Communication Ltd. has a proven network and service range that is especially suitable for corporate offices and home users. We are offering secure VPN services specially designed for Banks, with highly lucrative pricing structure as well as unparalleled data security assurance. Our full range of services for corporate offices includes Firewall Security solutions, Antivirus solutions and Networking solutions. OptiMax Communication Ltd. has already signed contracts for providing IP VPN and WAN Solutions, Nationwide Data Connectivity, Security Hardware and Antivirus Software solutions to various corporate offices, buying houses, airlines, embassies etc. Industrial-Strength Data Encryption, Security <& Firewall OptiMax technologies provide state of the art security and firewall technology through an award-winning line of purpose-built, integrated, hardware-based security solutions. It gives enterprises and carriers ability to secure both their edge and core networks and provide segmented security solutions for their end customers. DSL & ADSL DSL & ADSL cable connections allow our clients to have access to high speed Internet through a low cost and reliable medium. Some of the advantages of using a DSL connection are listed below: No Phone Line required High Speed Internet Access Speeds up to 1 Mbps supported through the DSL cables Provides a reliable and secured connection Allows the client to be connected to the Internet 24/7
No logging on required Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) OptiMax ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning Systems) comprises of a software solution that ensures the seamless integration of all the information flowing through the company financial, accounting, human resources, supply chain and customer information. With a view to enhance performance and productivity, OptiMax ERP also aids in improved decision making as well as streamlining of growth efforts. Web Services Optimax Communication Ltd. have a full range of Web services that are designed to meet any or all of your needs; Web Development Web Hosting Domain Name Registration & Hosting Interactive and Database Driven Web Sites Business to Customers (B2C) and Business to Business (B2B) Web Sites Other Specialties Our service portfolio is completed with the following solutions: Antivirus Solutions Integrated Full-range Networking Solution DNS Configuration Proxy server configuration Mail server configuration 5.8
Globalization and its effect on Optimax Communication Ltd.
Globalization is a new phenomena and it has great influence on the business world. not only the international business firms but also the domestic firms arc effected due to globalization. There are two reasons behind this. One is globalization of market another is globalization of production. For the effects of globalization many firms are benefited and many of them are loser. The effect is positive for some firms and also it is negative for some. Optimax is also effected by globalization. But the effect is positive. For the reason of globalization of market and globalization of production the ISPs of Bangladesh get some benefits. In the previous time the ISPs have to buy all technical equipments from distance country and the price are also high. Only a few companies supplied the equipments and
more or less did monopoly business. But due to globalization of market many companies enter into new businesses and so for that technical equipments can easily imported then in the past. Globalization of production reduces the price of the equipments. So the ISPs of the Bangladesh get the benefits of globalization effect. The companies can buy technical equipments in a cheap rate and they don't need to be import the equipments from distance country. Globalization also creates strong competition among the ISPs of Bangladesh. But it has also a positive effect because to get strong market position ISPs must be provide better services to the customers or other wise the will loose their market position.
6. Recommendation Some recommendations are mentioned below for improving the business of Optimax Ltd. and the 1SP business of Bangladesh. First, for Optimax Communication 1.
More Training must be provided for the employees, ( for the marketing department and also for the technical support department) to do so with collaboration with other ISPs of Dhaka city, Optimax can arrange training program.
2.
Optimax
always
try to uses the best equipment for their technological
infrastructure but they have to concentrate to procure more better equipment. 3.
Very soon Optimax is going to launch Radio link and E-1 technology. So for they required more technically skilled and technologically sound people.
4.
Must be careful about continues running of the total system, if any problem occurs the organization must have the back up support.
5.
As Optimax online is going to expand its business all over the Dhaka city so they have to take preparation in that way.
6.
The organization has to open 24 hours customer service.
7.
Since it's a service oriented company, the company should collect their bill through a bank account. This system will minimize the botheration at the client end to pay the bill.
8.
Since its a publicly listed company the organization needs a professional accountant as FCA or ICMA.
9.
The organization has to provide the provision of provident fund, gratuity, life insurance etc for the employees.
10 .
The organization must have service differentiation strategies to be successful in the market.
11.
The company must try to get the comparative advantage.
Recommendation for the ISP industry of Bangladesh. •
Use of fiber optic cables: Fiber optic cables maximize the data transfer rate. But this is unavailable in our country. If fiber optic cables are used instead of copper wire, the speed and capabilities of the Internet services will be increased. The government has taken a step to use fiber optic cable that is going to be implemented very soon.
•
speed and capabilities of the Internet services will be increased. The government has taken a step to use fiber optic cable that is going to be implemented very soon.
•
Improving data transfer speed: If the government reduces the license lees on VSAT and implement fiber optic cable, the ISP will be able to use multiple internet servers and VSAT, which will increase the data transfer rate.
•
Reducing per minute usage charge by the ISP: The TSP should reduce their usage charges, so that people can use Internet in a cheaper rate.
•
Employment of skilled persons: Few years ago there were few technically skilled persons of Internet in our country. But now a days a lot of skilled persons regarding Internet engage in IT development, who have achieved higher degree from abroad and also from Bangladesh. If ISPs employ those persons then the problems can be removed easily.
•
Proper co-operation by the government: The government should be more helpful to the ISPs because the government declared the IT sector as the third thrust sector of industry, The taxes should be reduced and there should be an easy method for allowing loans to form an ISP business. Then more investment can be done in this sector.
â&#x20AC;˘
T&T must provide more phone connections: T&T must be provide more phone connections for smooth running of the ISPs.
â&#x20AC;˘
One of the serious matter must be mentioned and that is there are some ISPs in Dhaka city who are doing fraud with their clients, it should be stooped. Because these ISPs have no own VSAT, no infrastructures facilities, they give lucrative advertisement and capture people and fraud with them.
7. Conclusion Information technology is based on the premise that professional managers, in boll) the private and public sectors, cannot afford to ignore information systems. In today's business environment, professional managers must learn how to use information technology to creative competitive firms, manage global corporations, and provide -useful products and services to customers. Information systems have become so vital to the management, organization, operation, and products of large organizations that they are too important to be left only to technicians.(A few years ago, this statement was not true. Briefly, it is difficult -if not impossible - to manage a modern organization systems are, how they affect the organization and its employees, and how they can make businesses more competitive mid efficient. Contemporary managers are expected to know enough about information technology to use it in the design and management of their organizations, these new management responsibilities require a deeper understanding of information technology and system than ever before. More over the concept of e-government emerges very rapidly in the whole world. Developed countries already implemented e-government concept practically and started to get benefit. In the Asia it is also implemented by some countries. Bangladesh government also have a big plan regarding e-government. The ISPs of Bangladesh can contribute a lot for the implementation of e-government concept. Bangladesh government must take strong policies to implement e-government concept and provide every facilities to the ISPs of Bangladesh.
The future of Internet business in Dhaka City is enormous. As telecommunication systems with massive bandwidth is gradually increasing, people wants to communicate in a distant place at a lower cost, organization advertise their product via internet, reduction of computer prices, increasing the number of telephone lines, awareness of the people, increasing the popularity of 1SP business. These all helps the ISPs to go to the door of a brighter future. Now Bangladesh has reached in information super highway by the help of BTTB VSAT. Many universities. All the newspapers, news agencies and many private and government agencies are starting the use of Internet. There are a sufficient number of ISPs company in Dhaka city. They offer various packages for the users. The student also can use it with lower price, The competitors among the Interne! companies make it lower cost for the general people. So, in this decade the people of every level of" the society, who have a computer, can easily enjoy the benefit of Internet. The present generation is more aware of Internet. We can expect that the rate of users of internet will increase in future in Bangladesh. As a result the ISP Company will able to achieve economies of scale. On the other hand the user will also enjoy the benefits of Internet with lower cost. The greater the use of internet in Bangladesh the greater the information will disclose to the people. In this way, the people of Bangladesh can stand at the same level with the first world.