ICT Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak announced that mobile internet services will be restored from 3pm today (28 July). Additionally, all users will receive a 5GB internet bonus, valid for the next three days. The minister conveyed this information during a media briefing following a meeting between the Information and Communication Technology Division, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh.

“It would take a couple more days to restore the internet if people were to be returned the remaining volume of their data packs which were lapsed during the internet blockout, that is why we decided to allot 5GB bonus for everyone,” said Minister Palak. He also expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the internet service disruption.

Regarding social media platform restrictions, Palak stated that letters were sent to Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms on 28 July, with a response deadline of 30 July. The letter highlighted non-compliance with the country’s constitution and laws. Palak mentioned, “They have removed very few of the contents we asked them to delete. While extremists’ pages remain active, they have taken down 50 pages supported by the Awami League.”

Updates on social media restoration will be provided on 31 July. Palak cautioned against using VPNs, citing security risks.

During the briefing, Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division Dr. Muhammad Mushfiqur Rahman, and BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed were also present. The meeting included participants such as the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center’s DG, CEOs and CTOs of Mobile Financial Services like bKash, Nagad, Rocket, and Upay, as well as mobile operators Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, and Teletalk.

Minister Palak previously stated that the internet disruption was not intentional but was caused by the burning of three data centers and hundreds of kilometers of cables, resulting in a Tk500 crore loss for the telecom sector alone. He added that there were attacks at 17 locations in Dhaka Division, with Mohakhali’s data centers housing 18 IIG systems, which host 70% of ISP servers.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has issued a show cause notice to Grameenphone due to an excessive number of call drops. The telecom operator could face a fine of up to Tk 300 crore if it fails to provide a satisfactory explanation.

The notice was issued on July 1.

Junaid Ahmed Palak, the State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, informed journalists of this development after inaugurating the GPT platform ‘G-Brain’ at the ICT Tower in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Wednesday afternoon.

“We have issued an initial show cause notice to Grameenphone. Further analysis is underway. If they can provide a valid explanation, they may be pardoned as they were last time. However, if they fail to justify their actions properly, BTRC can impose fines ranging from Tk 100 crore to Tk 300 crore,” stated Palak.

He added, “We had asked for explanations from four mobile network operators (MNOs) regarding our test drive on July 30.”

The BTRC conducts ‘Quality of Service (QoS) Drive Tests’ to verify the service quality of mobile phone operators, checking voice calls, data, and network coverage.

Engineer Md. Mahiuddin Ahmed, Chairman of BTRC, mentioned that voice and data services on Grameenphone’s network did not meet the expected standards in the drive test. The BTRC is investigating the reasons behind this shortfall.

“If any operator fails to maintain the expected service quality, BTRC will take action. Customers should not suffer any inconvenience,” emphasized the BTRC Chairman.

According to the Quality of Service (QoS) guidelines, there is a provision for up to 2% call drops for voice calls. For call setups, BTRC has set a specific time limit of seven seconds. Additionally, a minimum download speed of 7 Mbps is required for 4G technology.

Inspira Hosts Policy Dialogue on MSME Digital Security and Data Protection

Dhaka, June 9, 2024 – Inspira, in collaboration with USAID, DAI, and DCCP, successfully organized a Policy Dialogue addressing the digital security and data protection challenges faced by MSMEs. The event gathered industry leaders and government officials to deliberate on these critical issues.

Md Ziaul Haque Bhuiyan, Chief of Staff of ShopUp and former President of JCI Bangladesh, shared valuable insights during the dialogue. The event was graced by Md Shamsul Arefin, Secretary of the ICT Division, as the Chief Guest. Other notable attendees included Salahuddin Mahmud from the SME Foundation, Khalilur Rahman, Director General of BTRC, Abu Saed Kamruzzaman, Director General of NCSA, and Samira Zuberi Himika, Chairperson of Inspira.

Key Points Discussed:

Restricting Betting Services:

• Issue: Online betting services are causing financial losses for many individuals.
• Discussion: Implementing stricter regulations to limit access and protect users from financial harm.

Regulation of Grey Channel Devices:

• Issue: Unauthorized smartphones and laptops with unmonitored apps are entering the market.
• Discussion: Enhancing regulatory oversight to ensure visibility and security of imported electronic devices.

Data Storage Concerns with CCTV Cameras and VTS:

• Issue: Sensitive data from CCTV cameras and Vehicle Tracking Systems is being stored overseas.
• Discussion: Expanding BTRC’s regulatory scope to include these devices and ensure data security.

Digital Security Education:

• Issue: There is a lack of awareness and education on digital security and data protection.
• Discussion: Integrating these topics into the national education curriculum and enhancing public awareness through eCAB, BASIS, and media campaigns.

Government Officials Using Insecure Email:

• Issue: The use of Gmail by government officials poses security risks.
• Discussion: Promoting the use of secure, government-approved email services for official communication.

OTP Awareness Challenges:

• Issue: Misunderstandings about OTP security are affecting delivery services.
• Discussion: Educating the public on proper OTP usage to enhance security and service efficiency.

Policy on Digital Page Ownership:

• Issue: There is a lack of clear policies on digital page ownership and management.
• Discussion: Developing policies to protect content creators and regulate digital page ownership.

The Policy Dialogue underscored the necessity for comprehensive strategies and collaborative efforts to bolster digital security and data protection for MSMEs in Bangladesh. By addressing these issues, the event aimed to create a safer and more secure digital environment for businesses and individuals alike.