We didn't block mobile internet: Palak

Mobile internet has been down across the entire country, including the capital, since 2:00pm on Sunday (August 4).

In many areas, Grameenphone users have also reported being unable to make calls. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger have been inaccessible as well.

However, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, denied that the government had intentionally stopped the internet.

Around 2:30pm on Sunday, Palak told Jago News, "We have not stopped the internet anywhere. I did not issue any order to halt it. If there's an issue with the internet, it's not due to our directives."

The state minister suggested that ongoing terrorist attacks on fiber optic cables and internet infrastructure might be the cause of the disruption. "Attacks are happening in many places, cutting fiber cables. We even faced arson attacks today in some areas. Such violence makes it difficult to maintain uninterrupted internet services," Palak added.

Meanwhile, mobile operator Grameenphone stated that the authorities had indeed halted mobile internet services and that they were in constant contact with them regarding the situation. Another mobile operator, Robi, mentioned that the 4G mobile internet service had been stopped by the authorities, but they were not given much information. Banglalink also confirmed the same situation.

AAH/NMA