BTRC to use SOF fund to keep mobile networks operational in flood zones

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will bear part of the fuel expenses for running generators to keep mobile networks operational in flood-affected areas of Feni, Noakhali, and Cumilla.

The decision comes amid severe flooding caused by heavy rains and upstream water surges, which have triggered widespread disruptions in electricity and mobile connectivity across several upazilas.

To maintain telecom services in the hardest-hit regions, the BTRC is supporting mobile operators through the deployment of diesel generators, battery recharging support, and fuel supply.

This emergency assistance is being financed from the commission's Social Obligation Fund (SOF), which is designed to ensure uninterrupted telecommunications in disaster-affected zones.

The announcement was made on Friday by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology.

In a verified post on his official Facebook page, he wrote: "With the worsening flood situation, we've decided to mobilise diesel generators to maintain telecommunication services in flood-affected areas of Feni, Noakhali, and Cumilla. The government has assured service providers that a portion of the fuel cost will be covered from the SOF fund."

He further noted, "It is worth mentioning that the SOF comprises contributions from telecom service providers, not taxpayer money. These funds are allocated to expand and sustain telecom services in areas facing disaster or hardship."

Heavy monsoon downpours have inundated vast low-lying areas across the south-eastern districts of Bangladesh. Feni Sadar and Chhagalnaiya upazilas have seen more than a hundred villages submerged, while Noakhali Sadar, Kabirhat, and Senbagh also reported severe flooding. Power outages and mobile service interruptions have affected residents, with damage to roads and infrastructure further complicating relief efforts.

In response, telecom operators have mobilised emergency crews and equipment. Several images shared by Taiyeb show frontline workers navigating submerged roads, carrying generators on their shoulders, and using makeshift bamboo bridges to reach remote BTS towers. In some cases, broadband providers are transporting equipment on tractors through slippery, waterlogged terrain to restore internet connectivity.

Taiyeb praised the dedication of telecom engineers and field workers, calling them "unsung heroes" for their relentless service under extreme conditions.

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