Growth of Computer Network and Internet Uses in Bangladesh: Cyber Law Related Challenges and Responses

Abstract

In this chapter, attempts have been made to furnish an account of the growth of use of Computer Network and the Internet in Bangladesh. The telecom related policy and regulatory frameworks are discussed in this chapter, because these influenced proliferation of the use of Computer Network and the Internet in Bangladesh. But at the beginning of the chapter, we furnish the historical development and growth of use of the Internet on the regional and global context also. Historical development is given in section 2.2. Introduction of World Wide Web is given in section 2.3. In section 2.4, global perspective of growth of Internet is provided. In sub-sections 2.4.1, 2.4.2 and 2.4.3, we focus on the global, regional, Asia and SAARC region respectively. In sub-section 2.4.3, some facts and figures on the growth of use of Internet in Bangladesh are furnished. In section 2.5, an exhaustive description on the growth of Computer Network and the Internet in Bangladesh is given, which is the main focus of this dissertation. Chapter summary and discussions appear in section 2.9. The Internet is currently the focus of a great deal of attention.1 Information technology has developed rapidly throughout the past decade [s]. 2 Such rapid progress has achieved significant advances in processing and transmitting data through use or computers and computer networks.3 Some refer to this era as the "Information Revolution", in effect a second "Industrial Revolution”.4 The Internet is essentially an international computer network.5 This network has become so powerful and so comprehensive that it has truly become the first global forum and the first global library. The Internet is a designated leader or any recognizable governing structure to be so successful 'for the first time in history, [enables] unlimited numbers or people ... to communicate with ease.'6 Earlier this century, radio and television provided people around the world with easy access to common information and cultural influences; the Internet connects people even more directly. The Internet is both a conduit for information and home to information content producers and publishers. The lnternet7 is no longer a novelty (innovation). Millions of individuals, m every corner of the world, are logging on each day in quest of information for elaborating their knowledge, communicating ideas and thoughts and transacting and carrying out their business.