Most of the subscribers do not know about the service launched initially at the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar telephone exchange. Moreover, they face various problems while using the site (http://sbn.bttb.gov.bd).

Through this website, the applicants for new telephone lines and existing subscribers can access information on the current application status, complaint status, personal records, and status of shifting telephone line to new address.

The subscribers can also download various forms of the BTTB. The applicants for new telephone lines are provided with a tracking number, which is needed to access information on the application status through the site.

"The project is aimed at providing the best service to the customer. We hope that through the implementation of this project the huge crowds of subscribers and applicants at our offices will drastically reduce," said a top BTTB official.

"Subscribers and applicants can now enquire about anything related to their applications and subscriptions sitting at their home," he added.

But most of the subscribers say they do not know about the site.

"This is a very important project. The authorities should have made publicity through the mass media to make people away of it," said Abbas Chowdhury, a BTTB subscriber of city's Jigatola area.

Some users, however, alleged that the site is not user-friendly. "The site remains out of order most of the time," said a subscriber, who has been browsing the site after it was officially launched last week.

Some subscribers do not have enough confidence in the BTTB services being provided through the site. "I would rather go to the BTTB office to know the status of my application or complaint from an official directly," said a subscriber.

"I can obtain from the BTTB officials a specific time or date about fixing my telephone, which is not possible through the site," said another subscriber.

Some subscribers alleged the quality of service would not improve through introducing this website, as corrupt linemen and brokers are still active at BTTB offices and telephone exchanges.

"Such bold initiatives will go in vain if the authorities are unable to curb the corrupt linemen and the brokers," said a subscriber from Sobhanbagh.

But the BTTB officials are still hopeful that the project will benefit the subscribers. "We will initiate an awareness programme about the project in a few months," said a senior BTTB official.

He said if the project succeeds at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar exchange, the service will be introduced for the subscribers of other exchanges of the city and elsewhere.

The Tk 33.26 lakh project has been undertaken in collaboration with the Support to ICT Taskforce programme and the Ministry of Planning. The software has been developed by Business Automation Limited.