ICT, telecom divisions at war over fibre optic cable laying

The two divisions of the posts, telecom and information communication ministry are at loggerheads over the setting up and maintenance of fibre optical links across the country.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is in charge of the ministry, which has two separate divisions -- ICT and telecom -- run by two state ministers, Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Tarana Halim, respectively.

As of now, under three projects worth Tk 2,910 crore, the ICT division has laid fibre optic cable links at the district and division levels and will continue on to the union level.

However, as per the telecom act, the ICT division does not have the authority to develop or install fibre optic cable or any other telecom equipment, said an official of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.

In other words, the ICT division does not have the authority to take on the projects in the first place. It was within the rights of the telecom division.

In the last few meetings of the parliamentary standing committee on the posts, telecom and ICT ministry, the telecom division even raised questions about the suitability of the ICT division in implementing the projects.

Tarana said her division, with Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd, the state-owned service provider, had already reached the district level with fibre optic cable links.

The ICT division then extended the connectivity and in some cases there were repetitions, she said.

“Without any coordination with the telecom division, the ICT division has been expanding the network,” Tarana told a parliamentary standing committee meeting on July 4.

Palak, the state minister for the ICT division, was not present at the meeting.

Furthermore, the ICT division wants to pass on the responsibility of the cables' maintenance to the telecom division, which is refusing to accept it.

“Now, it has created confusion over cable maintenance. Since the telecom division has not developed the links, it will be impossible for the BTCL to maintain the ICT division's cables,” Tarana said.

Many committee members were at one with her about the responsibility of cable management.

“A lack of coordination between the divisions may result in overlapping and pose serious uncertainty in the maintenance of the lines in future,” Tarana added.

Contacted, Palak refused to make any comment on the matter as he was not present at the meeting.

Imran Ahmad, chairman of the standing committee, has accepted Tarana's complaint and said she made a valid point.

“So, we have to take it into consideration and come up with a proper solution. If needed, we will go to the higher authority,” Ahmad said.

To resolve the dispute between the two divisions, the parliamentary standing committee may approach the prime minister and her ICT affairs adviser.

“This is one of the priority projects of the prime minister,” Ahmad added.