Internet users in Bangladesh should brace themselves for slower speeds or possible disruptions over a four-day period starting from April 9. This inconvenience is due to scheduled maintenance work on the SEA‑ME‑WE‑5 submarine cable system, the country’s second major undersea connection.
Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC announced that the SEA‑ME‑WE‑5 (SMW5) consortium will be carrying out necessary maintenance activities. The maintenance work is scheduled to commence at 10:00pm local time on April 9 and is expected to conclude by 6:00am on April 13.
During this maintenance period, it is anticipated that internet traffic, especially on circuits linked to Singapore through the SMW5 submarine cable, may be impacted. Users might experience slower internet speeds or intermittent service disruptions. However, services will be maintained through the country’s primary submarine cable, SEA‑ME‑WE‑4, to ensure connectivity remains stable.
Authorities have assured close coordination with the consortium to ensure the timely completion of the maintenance work and a swift restoration of normal services. Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to users and stakeholders during this temporary disruption.
Bangladesh currently utilizes over 10,000 Gbps of total bandwidth consumption, with the SEA‑ME‑WE‑5 submarine cable contributing approximately 1,488 Gbps, while the SEA‑ME‑WE‑4 cable provides around 2,704 Gbps as of March. The remaining bandwidth is sourced from India through international terrestrial cable operators utilizing land-based connections.
