United News of Bangladesh

Internet service across the country may face disruption for three consecutive days from Thursday due to maintenance work, Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCPLC) said on Wednesday. The consortium of the country’s second submarine cable SEA-ME-WE-5 (SMW5), installed at Kuakata, has decided to carry out a maintenance activity titled ‘S.1.5.1 Shunt Fault Repair’, according to a press release. The work will begin at 10pm on Thursday and continue until 6am on April 13. During this period, circuits connected to Singapore through the submarine cable will remain temporarily suspended, it said. BSCPLC said internet users may experience slow speeds or partial service disruptions during the maintenance period. However, internet service will remain operational through the country’s first submarine cable SEA-ME-WE-4 (SMW4), installed in Cox’s Bazar. It will make its best efforts, in coordination with the consortium, to complete the work within the scheduled time and restore normal services as quickly as possible, BSCPLC said, regretting inconvenience to be caused to users.

Ahead of the upcoming 12th National Parliamentary Election, the ruling Awami League has announced its election manifesto, committing to extend modern urban amenities to every village. The manifesto, with the slogan “Smart Bangladesh: Visible Development, Increased Employment,” was announced by Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (December 27, 2023) at the Pan Pacific Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka. The manifesto promises to enhance the quality of life in villages by providing improved roadways, communication, clean drinking water, modern healthcare and medical treatment, quality education, advanced sanitation and waste management, increased electricity and fuel supply, computer and high-speed internet facilities, and expanded markets. These initiatives aim to bring all the comforts of modern cities to every village. In Smart Bangladesh Awami League seeks more safeguards for minorities, end of intolerance To ensure a reliable fuel supply, the party plans to continue encouraging and supporting the installation of biogas plants and solar panels on a group basis. The establishment of agricultural machinery service centers and workshops in villages will expand rural mechanization services, including machinery repair. This initiative will also provide training for rural youth and agricultural entrepreneurs, promoting productive employment. The manifesto includes plans for private sector investment and loan support for small and marginal entrepreneurs manufacturing and marketing light machinery. In line with the economic development of villages, cultural, sports, and entertainment programs will be expanded. This approach is expected to reduce the urban migration trend among rural youth by creating self-employment opportunities within villages. The government will fully support young people's involvement in agriculture, industry, and business. AL Manifesto on Significant Steps to Foster Women Entrepreneurs Awami League says that during its previous tenure, roads in every upazila were improved and expanded, connecting each village to upazila headquarters and linking upazilas to district headquarters and national highways. Every village has been ensured electricity supply. Drinking water and sanitation facilities have been enhanced and will be further improved. The government has taken over the expenses of primary and secondary schools, and financial support is being provided for teachers' salaries in private schools. Hospitals with 50 beds in upazilas are being upgraded to 100-bed facilities. Community clinics are bringing healthcare services to the doorstep of rural residents. Every union now has computer and internet service centers, providing employment opportunities to rural youth and facilitating communication nationally and internationally. Awami League’s Manifesto: Mega Projects for Accelerating Economic Momentum The expansion of communication, electricity, and internet services has accelerated rural production and market systems. Agricultural inputs have become more accessible, and the market for agricultural products has expanded. The extension of agricultural technology and the development of cottage and small industries are being expedited. Activities in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors have multiplied significantly in rural areas.

BNP activists and locals complained of internet service disruption in and around the Golapbagh rally venue in the city since Saturday morning. Locals said that internet service has been disrupted since 10 am today. A local internet service provider said services were suspended in the Golapbagh area from 1 am on Saturday. Read more: Golapbagh venue teeming with BNP leaders, activists all set for rally Contacted, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said, “I have no idea about it. Perhaps network might be disrupted as many people have gathered there. It has happened earlier too.” BNP's divisional rally in the city began on Saturday morning, with the presence of thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies. The rally began around 11 am at the city’s Golapbagh Ground.

After nearly six months, the authorities will restore the internet service in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said Saturday.

Smile Broadband, a domestic internet service, has brought a new broadband service “Internet for All” , aiming to make internet affordable to all classes of people in the country.