Robi Axiata Limited, one of the leading mobile phone operators has launched its mobile developer community platform named “bdapps” at the National Hackathon 2014. Supun Weerasinghe, Managing Director and CEO of Robi Axiata Limited made the announcement on the inaugural day of the National Hackathon 2014. The National Hackathon being co-sponsored by Robi is taking place on 6-7 December 2014 at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka.
bdapps is aimed to leverage the unlimited potential of mobile network capability and bring a dynamic change to the lifestyles of mobile subscribers in the country. Robi is keen to promote this new platform to provide its 25 million subscribers with the most innovative mobile applications. In the spirit of Igniting the Power Within the company intends to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth of Bangladesh by empowering the software developer community through opening up its’ network. Robi believes that bdapps will soon become a major source of local content; developed and created by Bangladeshis for Bangladeshis.
With the launch of this mobile based Appstore, Robi has opened its strong countrywide 3.5G network to any prospective apps developer to try any mobile centric business idea at no cost. The product further assists in hosting their applications and providing a Risk Free opportunity for any budding developer. The revenue generated by all applications will be shared equally between Robi and the developer.
Robi will further provide all necessary assistance to developers or anyone with content to bring their idea to life by helping them nurture their idea and converting it to a viable product. Hence, bdapps will also provide a window for the talented apps developers in the country to acquire entrepreneurial skills. Robi also plans to organize special on-campus activities across the country to encourage talented youth of the country to pursue their entrepreneurial spirit through Mobile app development. With the active participation of the apps developers the BD apps promises to provide a platform for the sustainable development of the country.
While announcing the launch of the youth empowerment platform, Mr. Supun Weerasinghe, Managing Director and CEO of Robi Axiata Limited said that “We are indeed delighted to enable the application developers in Bangladesh to develop services on Robi Network. This platform will provide a unique opportunity for the local talent to monetize their ideas by making them available to over 25 million subscribers in Robi network across Bangladesh and thereby enabling them to ignite the power within. We would like to thank the Government of Bangladesh and Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology for organizing the National Hackathon 2014 which provides a great opportunity for the app development community to take their skills and expertise to the global stage. This certainly is the biggest congregation of apps developers in country and we are glad to launch our www.bdapps.com platform today. We believe that bdapps.com will help develop our talent, enabling them to grow faster in the digital world whilst realizing government’s vision of Digital Bangladesh.
About Robi Axiata Ltd:
Robi Axiata Limited is a joint venture between Axiata Group Berhad, of Malaysia and NTT DoCoMo Inc, of Japan. Robi is the second largest mobile phone operator in Bangladesh in terms of revenue, with over 25 million subscribers, as of September 2014. Robi network provides nationwide coverage to nearly 99% of the population with more than 11,000 BTS and nearly 2,200 3.5G sites. Robi proudly claims to have the widest international roaming service in the market, connecting over 400 operators across 207 countries. It is also the first operator to introduce GPRS and 3.5G services in Bangladesh. The Company has introduced many first of its kind digital services in the country and has invested heavily in taking mobile financial services to the underserved communities in the rural and semi-urban areas.
