Mobile, internet services disrupted

Mobile networks and broadband internet were disrupted in coastal areas on Monday due to the cyclonic storm Sitrang, which caused power cuts in many places.

Telecom operators said in the afternoon the situation was likely to get worse when the storm would make landfall.

The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh said in a statement in the evening Sitrang resulted in power outages in several southern areas of the country.

It said mobile operators were doing their best to keep the networks up and running by using batteries and generators wherever possible.

“Considering telecom an emergency public service, we urge the Power Division and other authorities concerned to ensure uninterrupted power supply,” added the statement.

Head of communications at Grameenphone Khairul Basher said Faridpur, Barishal, Chandpur, Patuakhali, and Khulna had faced the most connection disruptions.

He said around 3,068 base transceiver stations (BTSs), also known as towers, of his company in those places were down.

“Besides, around 7,000 towers in these areas are still running on battery and generator. It means the subscribers under these 10,000 towers are getting no or disrupted mobile services”, he added.

Banglalink offered its subscribers in the affected areas free-of-charge internet and emergency balance of up to Tk 200.

Abdur Rahman, a resident of Patuakhali, told The Business Post he had faced frequent mobile communication disruptions, especially in the afternoon and evening, while calling relatives and friends.

“I do not know when services will be fully restored. Besides, the situation may get worse once the cyclone makes landfall.”

Emdadul Hoque, president of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh, said they were trying to continue providing broadband services in coastal areas by using generators.

“But it is becoming tough to operate this way as there is no electricity in the cyclone-affected areas, especially Bhola,” he said.

He further said the cyclone was disrupting broadband services and it was not possible to keep the network running in areas without electricity.

“Our fibre optic cables are getting damaged in many places, and we cannot go out to fix them due to bad weather. There will be internet outages there because of this, and we hope to fix them as soon as possible,” Emdadul added.

Earlier on Monday, the Posts and Telecommunications Division issued an alert, requesting operators and service providers to make all necessary preparations for protecting their installations and telecommunication assets.

Mobile towers are likely to be badly affected by the cyclone. When cyclone Amphan hit last year, nearly 60 per cent of towers in the affected areas took a hit. The storm cut off electricity supply to nearly 1,300 towers.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department asked Mongla and Payra seaports to hoist danger signal 7 as the sea became very rough. Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar seaports were asked to hoist danger signal 6.