Meeting to discuss restoring mobile internet on Sunday, says Palak

4G mobile networks are expected to be restored by Sunday or Monday, the state minister for ICT says

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is set to hold a meeting with the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh, or AMTOB, over the restoration of mobile internet services at 9am on Sunday.

Responding to a question from the media at the Dak Bhaban in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Saturday, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said 4G mobile networks are expected to be restored by Sunday or Monday if the authorities are satisfied at the meeting.

“As many as 100,000 new mobile phone SIMs have entered Dhaka during the quota reform protests. The post, telecommunication and ICT sectors incurred a loss of Tk 10 billion over the past several days. The telecommunication sector alone experienced a loss of Tk 5 billion.”

The state minister said, “Attacks took place in at least 17 places in the Postal Department. Analysis of mobile operators’ data on Jul 18 showed that 50,000 to 100,000 new SIMs appeared in Dhaka's Uttara, Rampura, Mohammadpur, Jatrabari and Gazipur.”

Pointing to those who believe the government would be ousted if the flow of remittances stops, he said: “This would cause harm to expatriates’ families and hamper the country’s development. So, do not hurt others by hurting yourself. Do not spread propaganda.”