Internet users across Bangladesh may experience reduced speeds for up to three days as scheduled maintenance work is carried out on the country’s second submarine cable system.
According to an official notice issued by the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company PLC, the maintenance will be conducted on the country’s SEA-ME-WE-5 international submarine cable system, which lands at Kuakata Landing Station. The work is expected to begin at 10:00 pm on 9 April and continue until 6:00 am on 13 April, spanning approximately three days.
During this period, Singapore-bound international circuits connected through the SEA-ME-WE-5 network may face temporary disruptions or reduced performance. As a result, users across Bangladesh could experience slower internet connectivity, particularly when accessing international websites, cloud services, and overseas data centres.
However, authorities have assured that the country’s primary submarine cable system, the SEA-ME-WE-4 network, which lands at Cox’s Bazar, will remain fully operational. Traffic routed through this system is expected to continue functioning normally, helping to maintain baseline connectivity and reduce the risk of complete service interruption.
Officials emphasised that the maintenance is part of routine technical upgrades and preventive servicing designed to ensure long-term stability, improved capacity, and resilience of Bangladesh’s international bandwidth infrastructure. While temporary inconvenience is anticipated, the work is considered essential for sustaining reliable global connectivity.
Expected Impact Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Maintenance System | SEA-ME-WE-5 submarine cable |
| Landing Station | Kuakata |
| Maintenance Period | 9 April, 10:00 pm – 13 April, 6:00 am |
| Duration | Approximately 3 days |
| Potential Impact | Reduced speed / partial disruption |
| Affected Routes | Singapore-bound international circuits |
| Alternative System | SEA-ME-WE-4 (fully operational) |
| Landing Station for Alternative | Cox’s Bazar |
The SEA-ME-WE-5 cable is one of the key components of Bangladesh’s international internet gateway, complementing the older SEA-ME-WE-4 system. Together, they provide redundancy and capacity for the country’s rapidly growing digital demand, including broadband services, mobile data, financial networks, and government connectivity.
Although users may notice fluctuations in speed during the maintenance window, officials expect services to stabilise quickly once the work is completed. Internet service providers are also likely to manage traffic routing dynamically to minimise disruption.
Authorities have advised users and organisations that rely heavily on international bandwidth to prepare for possible slowdowns during the maintenance period and schedule data-intensive operations accordingly.
