BSCCPLC Refutes ‘Misleading’ Internet Infrastructure Report

Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC has formally protested a news report on the country’s internet infrastructure and submarine cable capacity, describing it as “technically incorrect and misleading.” The company stated that the information circulated regarding international bandwidth capacity, the Red Sea route, and the SEA-ME-WE cable network contradicts reality and appears to create unnecessary public concern.

According to the company, its current total international bandwidth capacity stands at 7,200 Gbps, of which only 100 Gbps depends on the Red Sea route. The remaining 7,100 Gbps includes 6,000 Gbps connectivity via Singapore and 1,100 Gbps via Chennai, neither of which depends on the Strait of Hormuz or the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Therefore, concerns that Bangladesh could fall into “digital darkness” amid geopolitical tensions are technically unfounded, the company said.

BSCCPLC further noted that one of the country’s key international submarine cables, SEA-ME-WE 5, has not yet reached full capacity. Although the cable’s total lit-up capacity is 2,200 Gbps, only 1,488 Gbps is currently in use, leaving 712 Gbps unused. The company added that there is also scope for future capacity upgrades as needed.

The company also rejected claims that the older SEA-ME-WE 4 cable has become non-functional. According to its data, the cable currently has a capacity of 4,650 Gbps and is delivering approximately 2,595 Gbps of bandwidth. Its operational lifespan has been set until 2030 by the consortium, with the possibility of further extension if required.

The protest statement further clarified that even if disruptions occur in the Red Sea region, the Singapore hub would not become directly inoperative. Similarly, the notion that adding a single new private submarine cable route to Singapore would completely eliminate the country’s internet risks has been described as “misinformation” by BSCCPLC.

The company emphasized that Bangladesh currently maintains international connectivity through a trusted submarine cable ecosystem comprising SEA-ME-WE 4, SEA-ME-WE 5, and SEA-ME-WE 6. It also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national information infrastructure and ensuring digital sovereignty.

DBTech/SS/EK/OR