Submarine cable repair won’t disrupt internet: BSCCL

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DHAKA, Sept 25, 2017 (BSS) – Maintenance work of country’s first international submarine cable would not disrupt the internet connectivity, as Bangladesh has already been connected with its second undersea cable, officials said.

They said Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) which is assigned to manage bandwidth through the undersea cable has taken necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted internet connectivity during the overhauling work.

The submarine cable SEA-ME-WE-4, a consortium of 16 telecommunications companies, is scheduled to start the overhauling work under the Bay of Bengal on October 6 for three days for the first time of the cable’s 12-year history.

Talking to BSS, BSCCL Managing Director Monwar Hossain said: “We are shifting the circuit of SE-ME-WE-4 connectivity to our second undersea cable SE-ME-WE-5 to avoid any disruption.”

Moreover, over 30 Gbps bandwidth is being procured for one month to overcome any unwanted situation, he added.

“So, I think there will be no internet disruption during the maintenance work,” said Monwar.

The second submarine cable which has a total capacity of 1500 Gbps has been launched commercially from this month. Besides, the first cable has a capacity of nearly 300 Gbps bandwidth.

At present, Bangladesh uses about 450 Gbps bandwidth, of which the BSCCL is providing 250 Gbps and the remaining bandwidth is being imported through six international terrestrial (ITC) cables.

Sumon Ahmed Sabir, Chief Strategic Officer of fiber@home, an ITC company, said internet connectivity would not be disrupted if the BSCCL can provide bandwidth from the second cable and handle the shifting efficiently.

Besides, the ITCs could also ensure back up if there is necessity, “but for this they (ITCs) have to take preparation”, he added.

Sumon said fiber@home is ready to connect the transmission with second submarine cable from the landing station in Patuakhali.