Photo : Collected
After 10 days of nationwide restrictions on mobile internet connectivity, 4G internet is now available in Bangladesh.
ICT Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak earlier in the day said users of all operators will get 5GB internet bonus which will be valid for the next three days, said the minister while briefing the media following a meeting between the Information and Communication Technology Division, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh on Sunday (28 July).
Early on 18 July, amid the escalation of violent clashes taking place across the country centring the quota reform movement, the government shut down mobile internet.
At the time, Palak said the decision was made "in light of the current crisis in the country and to stop the spread of fake news on social media."
The next day, amid escalating violence around 8:00pm in the evening, the Department of Disaster Management building was set on fire, adjacent to which is a data centre. While Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) officials said that the fire might cut 30-40 percent of the bandwidth supply, broadband internet connection for the entire country was disrupted within an hour.
Bangladesh stayed disconnected from both broadband and mobile internet between July 18 and July 23, when broadband internet was restored in stages.
However, mobile internet remained unavailable until Sunday (28 July).
The State Minister for ICT has also announced that 5GB internet will be given for free to all users for three days after connection is restored.
Messenger/Nishat
