Page 84 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

USTDA, CdNet to Boost Bangladesh's 5G Internet with Bagha-1

The US Trade and Development Agency
(USTDA) has awarded a feasibility study
grant to Bangladeshi telecom company
CdNet Communications Ltd (CdNet)
for the development of the Bangladesh
International Submarine Cable, known as
Bagha-1. This initiative aims to expand
reliable internet connectivity across
Bangladesh. The Bagha-1 subsea cable is
expected to significantly increase internet
capacity and improve quality for both urban
and rural areas. This development promises
to enhance secured high-speed internet
connectivity throughout the country.
Florida-based APTelecom LLC has been
selected by CdNet to conduct the feasibility
study. This study will play a crucial role in
assessing various options and identifying to expanding their countries' broadband underscored the importance of the USTDA's
the most strategic path for deploying a capacity through trusted subsea fiber optic study: "USTDA's feasibility study will lay the
trusted subsea cable system in Bangladesh. cable systems." CdNet Director Chowdhury groundwork for improved internet access
The agreement for this study was signed Nafeez Sarafat emphasized the potential and quality for the people of Bangladesh."
by USTDA and CdNet during the sixth Indo- impact of Bagha-1: "Bagha-1 would help The Bagha-1 project represents a
Pacific Business Forum held in Manila. bolster Bangladesh's reliable and trusted significant step forward in enhancing
USTDA Director Enoh T Ebong highlighted connectivity to the world and unlock Bangladesh's digital infrastructure. With
the agency's broader strategy in the region: opportunities for emerging digital services, improved internet capacity and quality, the
"Across the Indo-Pacific, USTDA is building including 5G services, international data country stands to benefit from advanced
a portfolio of subsea cable projects with centers, and international hyperscalers." digital services and better connectivity on
partners like CdNet who are committed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas a global scale.

Tonga Government Evaluating Starlink License Application

The government of Tonga is reportedly consideration. Among other things, Sovaleni the service in Tonga. Sovaleni warned that
deliberating whether or not to grant an said, the government has to evaluate the until Starlink receives a license to operate
operator license to SpaceX’s LEO satellite impact of Starlink on existing network in Tonga, importing Starlink terminal
operator Starlink, which a number of operators. That said, another issue is that kits for use in Tonga is illegal, the report
people in the country are already, albeit some people who live in areas of Tonga said. Tonga’s internet services have been
not legally. According to Matangi Tonga with poor or no internet coverage are using criticized for being expensive and slow.
Online, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni Starlink services anyway by purchasing According to the Broadband Speedchecker
said the government has received Starlink subscriptions in other countries website, the average downlink speed in
Starlink’s application and is taking it into and using its roaming feature to access Tonga is 3.5 Mbps, with Digicel Tonga at
the top range with 8.59 Mbps. Datareportal
says that Tonga’s internet penetration rate
was just over 71% at the start of 2023. The
island’s vulnerability to internet disruptions
was graphically illustrated in January 2022,
when the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-
Hunga Ha’apai volcano damaged the only
subsea fibre cable connecting Tonga to the
global internet. Ironically, Starlink was one
of several telecoms companies who came
to Tonga’s rescue after the eruption, setting
up a gateway station in Fiji and sending
Starlink terminals to Tonga.

84 MAY-JUNE 2024