Hosting data locally by domestic companies would help Bangladesh save a huge volume of US dollars that are otherwise needed to store them abroad and ease the current foreign exchange crisis, experts said yesterday.

By ensuring that the data generated by telecommunication service providers, over-the-top platforms and other institutions is hosted within the country, prompt access to data can also be ensured, they added.

"As digital services surge, a huge volume of data is being generated and it requires storage. So, if Bangladesh facilitates the policy for local data hosting, domestic companies will grow in this field," said Mobarak Hossain, CEO of Plexus Cloud Ltd.

He was speaking at a workshop on cloud computing at the Amari Dhaka in the capital.

According to Hossain, if data is stored locally, access to data can be provided without internet and through local internet exchange and national internet exchange (NIX) service providers.

"As digital services surge, a huge volume of data is being generated and it requires storage. So, if Bangladesh facilitates the policy for local data hosting, domestic companies will grow in this field."

The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh has already launched its NIX service in a bid to keep data within the country.

The NIX is an exchange point used to pass internet traffic within the country. The service facilitates local content development, encourages local web hosting and reduces latency in domestic traffic, thereby saving international bandwidth and foreign currencies.

"Under the mechanism, we don't need internet," Hossain added.

He said local companies such as A Cloud Planet, which has a data centre and infrastructure and uses the OpenStack platform, can provide data services without internet as well as use international data with almost no cost.

OpenStack is an open-source cloud platform enabling customised cloud infrastructure. It offers scalability, multi-tenancy and hybrid cloud capabilities. Although it is cost-efficient thanks to its lack of licencing fees, initial investments in hardware and expertise are necessary.

Hossain said the local cloud is connected using local internet, which makes cyberattacks from other countries impossible.

"If there's any attack from within Bangladesh, it can be quickly stopped and legal actions can be taken. This makes our domestic cloud service completely secure."

Mustafa Jabbar, telecom minister, said data usage has now become essential. "It's our valuable asset and it demands secure storage."

"Once the concept of cloud was alien to Bangladesh. Today, in the digital era, the cloud is indispensable."