Socio-Economic Impacts of Mobile Penetration in SAARC Countries with Special Emphasis on Bangladesh

Abstract

Throughout the last decade, the world has observed a surprising growth of mobile subscribers over the South Asian region. This has brought significant changes in the socioeconomic environment of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries as well as in Bangladesh. The growth of mobile telecom industry has not only helped in developing a vital infrastructure of the country but also has played an important role in shaping social behavior. At present, a mobile phone is not just a tool for basic conversation; it is also a service device for all types of services like health, education, agriculture, mobile money for unbanked banking, commerce and businesses, citizen services, disaster responses or even an FM radio that we found in this study. It is changing the socioeconomic condition and overall lifestyle of millions by creating employment opportunities and uplifting the living standard. This study aims to study the socioeconomic changes in SAARC countries as well as in Bangladesh caused due to mobile penetration with a view to utilizing the outcomes, for our advancement. This study is quantitative in nature.