Internet, mobile network blackout drill planned

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the telecom operators were set to participate in a drill to shut down respective services at some places in the capital yesterday to check the capacity of the authorities to respond to emergencies like the Holey Artisan Bakery terrorist attack.
The ISPs and the telcos are taking part in the drill being directed by government regulator Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood said, “The drill would take place at few places in the capital between Monday afternoon and midnight.”  He, however, was reluctant to disclose the name of the areas where the drill would be exercised.
All types of internet (fixed and wireless) and telecom services of all operators would come under the drill, Mahmood said, adding, “The blackout drill would last for 15 to 30 minutes.”  
Replying to a query regarding the customers’ interest, the BTRC chairman said it wouldn’t be possible to inform the internet users about the drill. “Sometimes little difficulties have to be accepted for the sake of the greater interest,” he said.
Currently, 490 ISPs are providing fixed internet services in the capital and across the country while six cellular phone operators are also offering mobile phone and broadband internet services.
According to the Internet Service Providers of Bangladesh (ISPB), around 100 ISPs are providing nearly 35 lakh fixed connections in Dhaka, of which 75 per cent are being handled by 20 to 25 ISPs.
Terming the drill as a positive initiative by the regulators, ISPB Secretary Emdadul Huq said, “The drill would help us to test our managerial ability of distributing internet to the clients.”
He said they would start the
drill immediately after getting a nod from the regulator.

Internet, mobile network blackout drill planned

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the telecom operators were set to participate in a drill to shut down respective services at some places in the capital yesterday to check the capacity of the authorities to respond to emergencies like the Holey Artisan Bakery terrorist attack. The ISPs and the telcos are taking part in the drill being directed by government regulator Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood said, The drill would take place at few places in the capital between Monday afternoon and midnight. He, however, was reluctant to disclose the name of the areas where the drill would be exercised. All types of internet (fixed and wireless) and telecom services of all operators would come under the drill, Mahmood said, adding, The blackout drill would last for 15 to 30 minutes. Replying to a query regarding the customers interest, the BTRC chairman said it wouldnt be possible to inform the internet users about the drill. Sometimes little difficulties have to be accepted for the sake of the greater interest, he said. Currently, 490 ISPs are providing fixed internet services in the capital and across the country while six cellular phone operators are also offering mobile phone and broadband internet services. According to the Internet Service Providers of Bangladesh (ISPB), around 100 ISPs are providing nearly 35 lakh fixed connections in Dhaka, of which 75 per cent are being handled by 20 to 25 ISPs. Terming the drill as a positive initiative by the regulators, ISPB Secretary Emdadul Huq said, The drill would help us to test our managerial ability of distributing internet to the clients. He said they would start the drill immediately after getting a nod from the regulator.