The national video conference platform NationalConnect, aslo known as Boithok is a homegrown solution developed by the BNDA Team of BCC to combat the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves as a critical tool for ensuring the continuity of government services, offering secure and affordable remote meeting solutions to government offices, universities, schools, students, and citizens. The platform stands out with its features such as unlimited meeting duration, secured data storage within the national data center, and cost-effective subscriptions for general users. The platform's hosting within the national data center ensures that no data is stored outside of the country. This addresses concerns about security & privacy risk, and data leakage.

A significant highlight of the platform is its provision of free subscriptions for schools and universities, easing the burden on educational institutions grappling with remote learning challenges during the pandemic. This initiative underscores the project's commitment to supporting education and enhancing access to digital resources for academic institutions across Bangladesh.

Since its inception in January 2021, the NationlConnect has evolved through major revisions, including its latest release in January 2023, which expanded its capacity and functionalities. Despite facing stiff competition from global giants like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, NationalConnect distinguishes itself by prioritizing customization and catering to local needs. With over 2500+ successful meetings and 5,000+ hours logged, it serves key government offices, universities, and ministries, contributing to Smart Bangladesh vision. Despite capacity limitations, it has garnered adoption among select ministries and government agencies, bolstered by workshops, training sessions, and robust communication channels. Its impact transcends crisis management, fostering seamless communication and operational efficiency within Bangladesh's unique social, cultural, and economic milieu.

https://vc.bcc.gov.bd/

• International

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• People with disabilities
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities

NationalConnect's replicability shines through its ability to adapt and grow alongside user demands. Initially confined to hosting four parallel meetings, the system swiftly expanded its capacity by incorporating 19 additional virtual machines, accommodating nearly 100 concurrent meetings. This scalability mirrors the concept of adding more tables to a bustling dinner party, ensuring that the platform remains responsive to surging usage without compromising performance.

Beyond mere expansion, NationalConnect underwent significant technical enhancements to enrich user experiences. From initially supporting 100 participants per meeting, it now effortlessly accommodates up to 200 individuals with high-quality video or a remarkable 1000 participants with crisp audio in a single conference. Such advancements signify the platforms dedication to ensuring seamless communication experiences for its users, regardless of meeting size or complexity. By continuously refining its infrastructure and capabilities, it exemplifies replicability in the digital realm, empowering users with a versatile and scalable communication platform poised to meet the evolving demands of tomorrow's interconnected world.

NationalConnect's sustainability is evidenced by its successful operation for almost three years since its launch in January 2021. With continuous enhancements and updates, including the latest major release in January 2023, it demonstrates a commitment to improvement and adaptation to meet evolving user needs and technological advancements.
The platform has facilitated over 2500+ meetings and discussion sessions, totaling more than 5000+ hours of successful collaboration among various government agencies, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. Its usage by esteemed entities such as the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and University Grants Commission underscores its value and relevance within the local context of Bangladesh.

Moreover, its alignment with the Smart Bangladesh vision and contributions to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) further attest to its sustainability and societal impact. By addressing challenges such as continuity of government services, remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, and minimizing security risks, NationalConnect has positioned itself as a critical component of Bangladesh's digital infrastructure.
However, sustainability is not without its challenges. The risks associated with scaling capability and keeping pace with commercial solutions pose significant threats that must be carefully managed. The platform's capacity to handle simultaneous meetings and the need to match the evolving features of commercial solutions require strategic planning, adequate resources, and continuous innovation.

With proactive management of risks and a focus on continuous improvement, the platform has the potential to sustain its positive impact and contribute to the realization of Bangladesh's digital aspirations.

The NationalConnect project embodies several key values outlined by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and promotes them within the community: 1. Access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs): It enables widespread access to ICTs by providing a secure, reliable, and locally hosted video conferencing platform. This accessibility empowers government agencies, educational institutions, and citizens to engage in virtual collaboration and communication. 2. Capacity Building and Digital Literacy: By facilitating remote learning for universities, schools, and students during the COVID-19 pandemic, the platform contributes to capacity building and digital literacy initiatives. Through online classes, workshops, seminars, and training sessions conducted via the platform, users enhance their digital skills and adaptability. 3. Inclusivity and Multistakeholder Engagement: NationalConnect fosters inclusivity and multistakeholder engagement by providing a platform for diverse entities, including government ministries, educational institutions, and citizens, to collaborate and participate in decision-making processes. 4. Sustainability and Innovation: The sustainability of the video conferencing project lies in its commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and alignment with national development priorities such as the Smart Bangladesh vision. By leveraging technology to address societal challenges, NationalConnect promotes sustainable development and fosters innovation within the community. 5. Security and Privacy: It prioritizes security and privacy by hosting its platform within the national data center, ensuring that sensitive government information remains secure and protected from external threats. By adhering to stringent security protocols and data privacy regulations, NationalConnect promotes trust and confidence among users, reinforcing the importance of cybersecurity in the digital age.