The government has withheld clearance for two vessels hired to install Bangladesh’s first privately funded submarine cable, preventing them from entering the country’s territorial waters and further delaying the project amid regulatory hurdles.
The Posts and Telecommunications Division has informed the relevant authorities that no objection or clearance should be issued to the private company for the cable-laying operation without a formal recommendation from the division.
In a letter signed by Deputy Secretary Kaniz Fatema, the division said CdNet Communications had directly approached the National Security Intelligence, seeking necessary permission for two cable-laying vessels, CS Blue and Endeavour, to enter Bangladesh’s waters and install the submarine cable.
The letter said another private company, Metacore Subcom, had previously sought recommendations from the Posts and Telecommunications Division to obtain clearances from the foreign affairs and home affairs ministries and the NSI for a similar project.
The division, however, said Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC, a government-funded company under the division, operates in the sector.
“Considering violations of licence conditions, national security, and the security of substantial government and shareholder investments in Bangladesh Submarine Cables, no decision has so far been taken by this division regarding clearance for establishing a private submarine cable,” the letter said.
It requested the authorities not to grant any no-objection certificate or clearance to the private company without a forwarding letter from the division.
Kaniz Fatema could not be reached for comment despite attempts by TBS.
According to a TBS report in April, the Bangladesh Private Cable System consortium, comprising Summit Communications, CdNet Communications and Metacore Subcom, had invested about $53 million, or Tk650 crore, in preparatory work but was facing delays over inter-ministerial approvals.
The consortium had separately sought permission from the government for the two hired vessels to enter Bangladesh’s waters to begin cable installation.
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