ISPs call off strike
Internet service providers and cable operators yesterday withdrew their decision to shut down services across the country after a meeting with DSCC Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh at the Nagar Bhaban yesterday.
The Internet Service Providers' Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) and The Cable Operators' Association of Bangladesh (COAB) made the withdrawal after they reached an agreement with the Dhaka South City Corporation .
"The mayor assured us that the DSCC will stop removing our cables from now on. So, we have withdrawn our shutdown," MA Hakim, president of ISPAB, told The Daily Star yesterday.
"Moreover, we don't have to seek permission from the DSCC to dig roads to replace our cables underground," he added.
On October 12, internet service providers and cable operators threatened to shut down their services across the country for three hours -- from 10:00am to 1:00pm -- every day from October 18 if their demands are not met after the DSCC started removing overhead cables.
On Saturday night, the ISPAB and the COAB postponed their decision to shut down their services across the country for three hours every day for a week after an emergency meeting with the Post and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar.
Speaking to journalists after yesterday's meeting, Mayor Taposh said, "Dhaka city is filled with the rubbish of cables and wires. So, we collectively agreed to free the city of such things. We want to make it a beautiful city and that is possible if we work together."
He added, "The ISPAB and COAB will start removing the overhead cables from DSCC areas with their own arrangements and they will take these cables underground from tomorrow. The misunderstanding between us is now over."
The mayor further said the DSCC will extend all possible support to them in this regard free of cost.
"Hopefully, we will be able to get rid of this 'cable debris' hanging over our heads in Dhaka city by November."
He said that there were misunderstandings and disagreement on some issues between the city corporation and the service providers.
"For the greater interest of the city, the corporation will make all possible concessions."
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