Bangladesh is one of the world leaders in providing mobile telephone access for its large population, and many of the country’s mobile companies are pioneers in this field. In an innovative partnership with New7Wonders, the leading mobile provider, Teletalk Bangladesh Limited, in partnership with the nation’s other mobile companies, has set up a universally accessible SMS voting system for the New7Wonders of Nature. Voters from Bangladesh can now participate by sending a SMS from any mobile phone anywhere in the country. Voting for Sundarbans just needs the two letters “SB” sent to 16333, and each SMS vote counts as one vote for the Sundarbans. Voting is also possible for the remaining 27 Finalists, and each SMS vote costs BDT2.
Announcing the launch of the New7Wonders of Nature SMS voting in Bangladesh, Environment Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said, “There are at least 50 million active mobile SIM cards in the country, and if 20 SMS were sent through each SIM card, the Sundarbans would get one billion SMS votes to its credit”.
Welcoming the launch, New7Wonders Director Jean-Paul de la Fuente says, “Bangladesh is a strong participant in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign, and as I have witnessed first-hand, Bangladeshis are enthusiastic texters so I am sure they will show their SMS support for Sundarbans in the coming weeks and months.” He continues, “This partnership is unique as it brings together competing mobile companies, with the encouragement and support of the government and the regulator, all working in unison for the national interest and to ensure maximum access to the New7Wonders of Nature campaign for the highly mobile-enabled Bangladesh population.”
Photo: SMS agreement signing ceremony in Dhaka, Bangladesh, between New7Wonders Director Jean-Paul de la Fuente and Teletalk Managing Director Md. Mujibar Rahman, in the presence of Telecoms Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju and Environment Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud.