The mobile phone is a new innovation in a technology-shy society of Bangladesh. Mobile phones have rather expanded in an amazingly faster rate in a country where per capita income is less than US$350 and the economy is characterised by poverty and other indicators of underdevelopment. As a matter of fact within a decade since its inception, mobile telephones have expanded faster than any other new technological innovations in the history of the country, both in rural and urban areas. In rural areas, specially the disadvantaged section of women, has enormously benefited from an innovative mobile pay phone system introduced by Grameen Bank, a pro-poor specialized bank.

This paper examines three broad research questions to assess the social and cultural implications of the introduction and use of mobile phones in Bangladesh. The questions are: a. What are the usage patterns of mobile phones among the university students of Bangladesh? b. How does it affect social relationships among the young generation? c. Is there any cultural impact of the use of mobile phone on the young generation?

The research is based on an empirical survey of 500 respondent-students drawn from Dhaka University, the largest state university of Bangladesh, where about 70 percent of the students are coming from muffasal (small towns and rural areas). Data for the research paper have been collected through a questionnaire, a number of focussed group discussions and case studies. In addition relevant contextual data and information from the four mobile phone operators (Grameen, City Cell, Aktel, Banglalink) have been used for the analyses of the research questions.