Drill to shutdown internet in Dhaka during emergencies

Internet service providers (ISPs) in Dhaka have been told to participate in a drill to shut down services immediately as a part of responding to emergencies like the Gulshan cafe terror attack.

A blackout would take place anytime between Monday afternoon and midnight at different parts of the capital as part of the drill, said telecoms regulator chief Shahjahan Mahmood.

“Some parts of Dhaka will experience it, but we cannot say now which areas,” the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman told bdnews24.com.

He said all kind of internet services, including mobile phones and broadband will cease to work during the blackouts. “It might last between 15 and 30 minutes.”

The BTRC chief, however, said they will not be able to inform users prior to the blackouts. “We have to accept minor problems for the sake of the greater good.”

ISPs said that they have received the BTRC’s instruction in writing.

“The BTRC has sent a directive on a drill to shut services immediately in the wake of an emergency.”

“The drill is to check whether IIGs, ISPs, NTTNs could go for a total closure immediately,” said Emdadul Haque, the general secretary to the ISP Association of Bangladesh.