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Bangladesh’s internet service providers and cable TV service operators have postponed the decision to halt 3-hour internet shutdown scheduled from Sunday.
In protest against the Dhaka South City Corporation’s (DSCC’s) recent move to remove overhead cables, an October 17 (Saturday) ultimatum to resolve the matter was issued by the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) and Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB) from a press conference in Dhaka on October 12.
The ISPAB and COAB gave the announcement on Saturday evening in an emergency meeting held via a digital platform.
The ISPAB President MA Hakim said “As Post and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar assured us that the matter will be resolved soon by the Prime Minister Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, so for the time being we called off the decision to shut down the internet services across the country”.
To this end, a meeting between the two associations and DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh is expected to be held at the DSCC conference room on Sunday morning.
Earlier the two associations said, they will shut down the internet and cable TV services across the country for three hours – from 10:00am to 1:00pm – every day from October 18.
Earlier ISPAB President MA Hakim told The Financial Express on Saturday morning that his association will stick to the decision to shut down internet services, should the city authorities continue to ignore their demands.
“The move to remove the overhead cables without making alternative arrangements or giving prior notice is just unacceptable,” Mr MA Hakim argued.
Many have expressed concern over the issue as they are heavily dependent on internet services for carrying out internet banking, export-import activities, ride-sharing services, flight booking, internet-based commercial activities, outsourced jobs, online news media, online classes, exams, virtual meetings, and online shopping.