Internet breakdown
Friday, 16 November 2007
THE internet breakdown from last Tuesday for 15 hours was the 27th such disruption since the submarine cable connection was operationalised in 2006 to link Bangladesh to the worldwide information and telecommunication superhighway. The submarine cable connection after its becoming operable is yet to deliver its full potentials to the country. But it has certainly spawned greater business activities and opportunities compared to its pre-installation state.
The businesses, particularly garments exporters, now rely on the internet in most cases for receiving orders, confirming orders, for sending samples or even negotiating with the buyers. Even hours of delays in these activities or disruption can mean loss of orders or order cancellation with the same going to suppliers in countries which are the competitors of Bangladesh in the field. Some big factories in the country also operate from several locations and for this, too, they need to maintain constant connection through the internet as this is the most elaborate, cheap and fastest medium of communicating information related to their business. Other exporters such as for frozen food also rely similarly on the internet for maintaining round the clock contract with foreign buyers. Data entry operations have been growing since the availability of the submarine connection from faster connectivity and opportunities for greater outsourcing activities in the information technology (IT) sector also appear brighter. All financial institutions in varying degrees are now dependent on the internet. The Bangladesh Telephone and Telegraph Board (BTTB), according to an estimate, loses revenue worth some US$70,000 per hour when the internet connection remains disrupted. Thus, the total loss to the BTTB when the internet connectivity remained disrupted for long 15 hours from last Tuesday night, could have been a huge one. The total losses caused to businesses of all kinds and hazards created for them, must have been also great. And this was not for the first time that losses to businesses occurred from internet disruption. The disruptions are proving to be too frequent to be absorbed easily by businesses.
Thus, there are strong enough reasons for business establishments demanding greater security of the submarine cable connection. First of all, it is a failure on the part of law enforcement bodies that they cannot protect the underground cables providing the connection. Guarding the entire length of this line is not a smooth or enjoyable task but nothing impossible. From maintaining vigilance squads at different points along the cable lines, this security can be provided. More significant has been the inability on their part to detect who are masterminding the cutting off of the cable lines. Some people suspect that the ones engaging in the work for internet disruption must have bigger motives. It is, thus, important to identify the real cause for frequent disruptions to the submarine cable connection. The real perpetrators of the crimes must be detected at the quickest. The country's businesses and all others requiring uninterrupted internet connections must not suffer. Likewise, the frequent disruptions to the submarine cable connection must not be allowed to mar the prospects for growth of the country's budding IT outsourcing activities. Some vested quarters might have their interests -- making windfall profits -- in disrupting the submarine cable connection. Against this backdrop, the enforcement bodies should be directed sternly to find the real culprits responsible for internet breakdown and head off any such attempts in the future. The government must give high priority to this task for the sake of existing business and the flourishment of potential ones.
The businesses, particularly garments exporters, now rely on the internet in most cases for receiving orders, confirming orders, for sending samples or even negotiating with the buyers. Even hours of delays in these activities or disruption can mean loss of orders or order cancellation with the same going to suppliers in countries which are the competitors of Bangladesh in the field. Some big factories in the country also operate from several locations and for this, too, they need to maintain constant connection through the internet as this is the most elaborate, cheap and fastest medium of communicating information related to their business. Other exporters such as for frozen food also rely similarly on the internet for maintaining round the clock contract with foreign buyers. Data entry operations have been growing since the availability of the submarine connection from faster connectivity and opportunities for greater outsourcing activities in the information technology (IT) sector also appear brighter. All financial institutions in varying degrees are now dependent on the internet. The Bangladesh Telephone and Telegraph Board (BTTB), according to an estimate, loses revenue worth some US$70,000 per hour when the internet connection remains disrupted. Thus, the total loss to the BTTB when the internet connectivity remained disrupted for long 15 hours from last Tuesday night, could have been a huge one. The total losses caused to businesses of all kinds and hazards created for them, must have been also great. And this was not for the first time that losses to businesses occurred from internet disruption. The disruptions are proving to be too frequent to be absorbed easily by businesses.
Thus, there are strong enough reasons for business establishments demanding greater security of the submarine cable connection. First of all, it is a failure on the part of law enforcement bodies that they cannot protect the underground cables providing the connection. Guarding the entire length of this line is not a smooth or enjoyable task but nothing impossible. From maintaining vigilance squads at different points along the cable lines, this security can be provided. More significant has been the inability on their part to detect who are masterminding the cutting off of the cable lines. Some people suspect that the ones engaging in the work for internet disruption must have bigger motives. It is, thus, important to identify the real cause for frequent disruptions to the submarine cable connection. The real perpetrators of the crimes must be detected at the quickest. The country's businesses and all others requiring uninterrupted internet connections must not suffer. Likewise, the frequent disruptions to the submarine cable connection must not be allowed to mar the prospects for growth of the country's budding IT outsourcing activities. Some vested quarters might have their interests -- making windfall profits -- in disrupting the submarine cable connection. Against this backdrop, the enforcement bodies should be directed sternly to find the real culprits responsible for internet breakdown and head off any such attempts in the future. The government must give high priority to this task for the sake of existing business and the flourishment of potential ones.