Dhaka, Dec 29 – Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) yesterday has instructed all mobile networks operators to suspend 3G, 4G services ahead of the 11th parliamentary polls. In the instruction, BTRC said the mobile user data will not be able to upload video or picture on social media.
The suspension on 3G, 4G services will continue till midnight of December 31. However, 2G voice and data services and 3G voice services will remain active.
“We have officially been instructed to suspend the services for 33 hours,” said one of the leading mobile phone operator’s official on condition of anonymity.
BTRC Senior Assistant Director (Media) Zakir Hossain Khan said to prevent the spread of rumours by using internet services; we have sent an email to all mobile phone operators to suspend their 3G and 4G
internet services. The service will resume on Monday.
Earlier, 3G and 4G services were also suspended for 10 hours on Thursday night and Friday morning and resumed around 8:30 am on Friday. It was closed again yesterday afternoon.
According to telecommunication authorities, as of November Bangladesh has nearly 91.8 million internet users where 86 million use mobile internet. And there were 57.35 lakh broadband connections in November across the country. However, The BTRC hasn’t said anything about broadband services.
Earlier, on December 26, the BTRC said after a meeting with International Internet Gateway representatives, the social media especially Facebook would be blocked if necessary.
Today the voters will cast their vote for the 299 parliamentary seats between 8am and 4pm. – Staff Reporter
