V-SATs are now functioning in Feni for Civil and Military administrations to oversee flood relief
Mobile towers are returning to network
The telecommunication system of 13 flood affected districts of the country is under threat. The mobile towers were shut down due to power outages. In this context, the entire locality was disconnected. Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited has provided a total of 13 V-SATs including 5 sets to the Feni district administration and 8 sets to the army as per the instructions of the ministry.
Through this, the government has been able to restore the telecommunication system for the government and military forces operating in Feni, the area most affected by the floods. Meanwhile, three V-SATs have been installed in Feni district administration and eight V-SATs have been provided to Bangladesh Army. In addition to their own connectivity technology, local army units are using BSCL's V-SATs in Chhagolnaiya of Noakhali and Fulgazi of Feni in local rescue and relief operations.
On the other hand, V-SATs has been installed in the offices of Feni Sadar District Administration, Parashuram Upazila Administration and Fulgazi Upazila Administration. Besides, another V-SAT will be set up on Tuesday at Chhagolnaiya administrative office in Noakhali. 15-20 more sets of V-SAT have been kept ready to meet the requirement.
On Monday, BSCL General Manager Shah Ahmadul Kabir told DigiBangla, they are providing unlimited bandwidth through V-SATs. Its minimum speed is 2 Mbps at each point. This bandwidth can be increased if desired. They have also provided 5 V-SATs and one router each to increase network coverage. They have a wireless connectivity range of up to 30 meters. Any office can connect multiple routers if desired. They can also provide access as needed.
Meanwhile, the amateur radio operators of Bangladesh started working as a fast-responding team (S21ACP, S21AIG, S21MOB) by setting up a radio control room in the Feni District Commissioner's office from the evening of 21 August due to the sudden floods in Feni. A control station for remote communication was established by installing antennas, radios in a 15-storey building next to the District Commissioner's office. Also, on 23 August several hundred HAMs joined Feni including S21NN, S21HK.
to sources, the entire matter was supervised and coordinated by S21AF Abdullah Al Fahad. As of last news, a total of 375 rescue operations have been conducted in various upazilas including remote areas like Parshuram, Fulgazi through a total of 5 stations including Mohipal Army Camp, Army Medical Camp, Deputy Commissioner and Police SP Office, 15th Floor Control. Uninterrupted communication with the rescuers is being maintained from the control room over an area of 70 km. Besides, communication with Dhaka control room is maintained through HF and VHF radio. And all of this is being done by amateur radio operators with their own funding.
On the other hand, since the supply of diesel at the cost of BTRC, the mobile towers in the flood-affected areas have started functioning at a significant rate. As of Monday evening, Feni's, the most closed site, was down from 92 percent to 80 percent. Out of total 14,551 towers in the affected 11 districts, 7.8 percent sites are now closed. 13 thousand 419 sites are active.
According to information received from BTRC, a total of 6 speedboats, 2 each, have been provided in Fulgazi, Sonagazi and Chhagolnaya upazilas in coordination with mobile operator Robi and Towerco operators Summit and Edotco for network restoration. BTRC is also supplying vehicles to Banglalink at Fulghazi and Chhagolnaiya. All of the NTTN operator Fiber@Home PoPs are active in this area.
