Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)
yesterday directed all mobile operators to restrict their networks in the
Bangladesh-Myanmar border areas as well as block the network in and around
Rohingya camps.
The directive came yesterday in a letter issued by the
telecom regulator after an order from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to this
effect.
Following the directive, mobile operators have weakened
their networks in the border areas along with Myanmar that include Cox's Bazar
and Bandarban.
Soon afterwards, complains from subscribers in the areas
started to pour in, complaining about the poor network quality, said a senior
telecom executive seeking anonymity.
Around 120 base stations in the border areas have been
restricted under the directive, causing network disruption in Cox's Bazar, the
executive said.
Contacted, Md Jahirul Haque, acting chairman of BTRC,
said, “The decision was challenging for us as we know it might affect
subscribers in the region.”
The move came following an intelligence report that said
Myanmar is trying to create anarchy in the border areas using mobile
communication applications.
Earlier, the government had asked mobile operators not to
sell SIM cards to Rohingya refugees.
However, most of the refugees have Bangladeshi SIM cards
and some mobile operators' representatives have allegedly sold those inside the
camps as well.
“We are complying with the directive and cannot help the
network disruption its causing to Bangladeshis in the area,” said Sahed Alam,
executive vice-president of Robi.
Source: The Daily
Star