The
post and telecommunication division has submitted a proposal to the cabinet
economic affairs committee seeking approval of its March 2014 proposal for a
project to connect the nation to a second submarine cable, known as SEA-ME-WE
5.
The
SEA-ME-WE 5 would feature state-of-the-art 100G technology and Bangladesh will
obtain 1300Gbps capacity in its internet service.
An
international consortium comprising 17 countries has been implementing the
Southeast Asia-Middle East - Western Europe 5 Cable System project as an
alternative and also supplementary to the existing SEA-ME-WE 4
The
cable landing station would be located in Kuakata of Patuakhali district.
Bangladesh
became a member of the SEA-ME-WE 4 connecting 13 countries through 15 companies
signing an agreement over a decade ago in 2004, and has been availing its
services in the information communication technology (ICT) sector. The service
contract will expire in 2025.
Increasing
troubles in the service of SEA-ME-WE 4 prompted the member countries to move
for undertaking the SEA-ME-WE 5 submarine cable project as its alternative and
supplementary, to ensure an uninterrupted and secure ICT service, said
officials at the Post and Telecom Division.
An
official document obtained by UNB shows that according to the deal titled
Construction and Maintenance Agreement the consortium would erect 20,000 km
undersea cable system by 2016 to connect 17 countries from Asia, Africa and
Europe.
To
implement the project in Bangladesh, the state-owned Bangladesh Submarine Cable
Company Ltd has to spend a total of Tk 660 crore.
Of
the total amount, the government would provide Tk 166 crore as equity while Tk
142 crore would come from the company’s own fund and the remaining Tk 352 crore
would come in the form of project aid.
Meanwhile,
the BSCCL has already signed an agreement with the Islamic Development Bank to
secure a $44 million loan for the project.
Other members of the SEA-ME-WE 5 consortium
include China Mobile Communications Corporation, China Telecommunications Corporation,
China United Network Communications Group Company, Chunghwa Telecom, Emirates
Integrated Telecommunications Company, France Telecom SA, Network i2i Limited,
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia
International, Saudi Telecom Company, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, Telstra
Corporation, and TOT Public Company. (Source: New Age, March 31, 2015)