Gulshan 2 and the nearby diplomatic area were dead zones yesterday following an order from the country’s telecom regulator to block connectivity to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s office.
Residents have been enduring a suspension of mobile and wimax services for more than 36 hours.
All six mobile and three wimax operators blocked their networks early Saturday following a government order aimed at disconnecting the BNP chief’s office.
Sources said, until yesterday evening, a greater than one square-kilometre swathe of the posh neighbourhood remained a dead zone.
The blocked-off area was even larger on Saturday morning when the network suspension began.
Mobile operators said their network shut-off centred on the BNP chief’s Gulshan 2 office on road 86 and they were trying to reduce spillover into other areas.
“We have already released some areas in the diplomatic zone of Baridhara and now mobile networks are available in those areas,” a senior executive of a mobile phone operator told the Dhaka Tribune.
On Sunday, operators carrying out the BTRC order reduced their block-off zone from 60 Base Transceiver Stations down to 20.
Another senior executive, asking not to be named, said: “Services cannot be suspended completely since those with satellite facilities and wifi networks can access internet and other voice and data services.”
Residents of the area were upset with the situation.
“I failed to connect with my relatives living abroad even after several attempts,” said Mushfique Chowdhury, adding: “This is very painful. I have no words to express my dismay.”
Commuter Azizur Rahman said that after crossing from Banani into Gulshan 2, he lost all network connectivity.
A BTRC officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he could not say when the network block would be lifted.
“We have blocked the network after getting a government order based on security issues and it will remain blocked until the next order is given,” he said.