Internet users experiencing slow connection

Internet users in Bangladesh are experiencing slow internet services due to the maintenance work, declared previously, of the country's lone submarine cable since this morning.

"Last night at around 12 o'clock, the connection with the eastern side of the world was temporarily shut down for the scheduled maintenance," a highly placed source at the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) told The Daily Star.

However, the alternative communication was established for the moment through some Chennai based operators, the source added.

That's why users in Bangladesh may face slow internet for some time, sources said.

Earlier on October 20, Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) in a statement said, "The SEA-ME-WE-4 Consortium would carry out maintenance work of the undersea cable at its Singapore end from 12:00am of October 21 to 2:00pm of October 27 that may disrupt internet service temporarily in the country."

Bangladesh is now connected with submarine cable SEA-ME-WE-4. But, it has already joined another consortium SEA-ME-WE-5 that is expected to be connected with the country in December.

Besides, the country is connected with ITC through different Indian companies.

However, despite the disruption, BTCL would continue its services through alternative means, Assistant Director Tohura Sultana said in the statement on Thursday.

Submarine cable engineers usually complete maintenance works before the fixed schedule, similarly this time the same will happen, telecomm officials hoped.