Dhaka: The cabinet on Monday approved a proposal for singing an agreement between Bharat Sanchar Nigham Limited (BSNL) and Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) for leasing out international bandwidth for internet at Akhaura zero point to export Bangladesh’s 10 GBPS unused bandwidth.

The approval was given at the regular weekly meeting of the cabinet held at Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

After the meeting, cabinet secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan briefed reporters.  

Under the agreement, he said, Bangladesh will export 10 GBPS bandwidth from its unused 170 GBPS, to India which could be increased up to 40 GBPS if both parties agreed.

The cost of the installation of submarine cable in Bangladesh area would be met by Bangladesh government while the Indian government will bear the cost of installation on their side.

BSCCL will get USD 1.2 million annually for 10 GBPS with which it will be able to meet the one-fourth amount of the salary of its officials and employees.

The cabinet secretary said BSCCL currently has 200 GBPS bandwidth capacity under its agreement With SEAMEWE-4 consortium.

The country is currently using only 30 GBPS and 170 GBPS remains unused. Besides, another 1300 GBPS bandwidth will be added to the existing one by December next under another agreement with SEAMEWE-5 consortium.

Besides, a report on the visit of Bangladesh delegation to Qatar, headed by the Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister in February this year was also placed before the cabinet meeting.

Cabinet members, state ministers concerned attended the meeting. Secretaries concerned were also present.