Power outage hits internet connectivity, millions suffer

Unscheduled power outages coupled with late-summer heat have severely impacted daily life. The lack of continuous electricity has severely affected internet connectivity, making interrupted connections a daily struggle for subscribers.

Students and remote workers report frequent disruptions while completing online assignments and transmitting urgent digital documents due to Wi-Fi routers losing power during outages.

The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) stated that service providers are maintaining backup power systems - including Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), solar power, and diesel generators - to keep core networks operational. However, individual residential users lack such commercial backup infrastructure.

Former ISPAB President Mohammad Aminul Hakim noted that while service providers currently maintain network uptime, prolonged power cuts will require higher operational costs, such as increased generator fuel consumption.

He added that coverage loss at individual user endpoints during blackouts remains beyond the providers' control.

Mobile Phone Subscribers Association President Mohiuddin Ahmed called for immediate regulatory interventions, emphasizing that internet access is no longer a luxury but an essential daily utility.

Mohiuddin urged mobile network operators to upgrade battery backup capacities at cellular towers while advising telecom regulators to actively monitor backup readiness across all tower sites.