After four days of isolation, the country’s internet connection is returning experimentally. Most of the expressions after getting the connection were like returning from death row. The digital sector, which was drowned in sabotage, has been brought back to life by the concerted efforts of the public-private sector and the media.
Earlier there were rumors that the internet could return on Monday night. However, until Tuesday afternoon, the expected internet access was not met. To launch the net, State Minister for Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak visited the damaged data center adjacent to Khawaja Tower in Mohakhali and its restoration program of the Internet. At that time, he said that 80 percent of the damaged telecom infrastructure has been restored.
After inspecting the damage, BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed, Post and Telecommunication Secretary Dr. Md. Mushfiqur Rahman, Information and Communication Technology Secretary Shamsul Arefin and Director General Brigadier General Mustafizur Rahman held an urgent meeting with the concerned officials.
After the meeting, he said that the Internet is being opened on an experimental basis today. Internet services will be introduced in areas dominated by electricity, banking, commercial, diplomatic, commercial and technology exports, outsourcing, media on priority basis.
However, he has not yet announced the decision regarding social media, communication apps, mobile internet. Later, BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed told Digibanglatech that internet services have been started in government hospitals, DESCO, Dhaka WASA and banks from 6 pm. Internet will be launched in phases. And on Wednesday, a meeting will be held regarding mobile internet and a decision will be taken.
Meanwhile, Press Club, Dhaka Reporters Unity and various media started to regain internet connection from this evening. Gradually, other media outlets too started getting this connection.
Earlier, after the visit, State Minister Palak said that ‘the government is sincere in restoring internet connection as soon as possible’. Stating that the work is going on through multilateral coordination, the state minister said that the ISP and IIG service providers are in a panic to restore the connection. Yet since the internet is now one of the basic needs of people; we are all working together to launch internet services as soon as possible.’
In response to questions from reporters, Palak said, initially there is a plan to open government services and other internet services step by step. But the BNP-Jamaat-Shibir selective sabotage of the telecommunication network is increasing day by day. This conglomeration of evil has crippled our nation’s telecommunication services. As a result, the people of the entire country are suffering. We are all working together to restore this network as soon as possible.
Director General of Post and Telecommunication Department, BTCL Managing Director, State Minister along with ISPAB President Imdadul Haque, IIGB President Aminul Hakim and others were present in the inspection of Khawaja Tower area.
According to sources, Internet is being launched in green zones where there is no violence. However, in the case of providing internet to violent areas outside of this, the connection will be started using the IP.
Last Thursday (July 18), Broadband Internet or Wi-Fi connection was operational until approximately 9:00 PM. Then it stopped completely. The same happens with mobile internet. As a result, Internet-centric activities including the use of social media were stopped. Its impact can also be seen in the activities of the media including online news portals. Then on Monday afternoon, social media Facebook, X, YouTube and communication apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, Imo, Instagram, Telegram have been stopped and asked to verify the technical capability of ‘keeping the internet on’ in a limited range. According to sources, the verification report was submitted yesterday. In this context, the Internet was launched today.
