The 4G mobile internet network has been shut down again. On Sunday (4 August) afternoon, a government agency ordered the shutdown of the 4G service.
When 4G is off, mobile internet cannot be used. Only 2G service is available for voice calls. There are over 120 million mobile internet users in the country.
Mobile operators have been instructed by a government agency to keep the 4G network shut down until further notice.
Due to clashes and conflicts surrounding the quota reform movement, mobile internet was shut down from the night of 17 July, and broadband internet was shut down from the night of 18 July.
Five days later, on 23 July, broadband internet connections were restored on a limited scale. Mobile internet was restored ten days later, on 28 July, but Meta platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram remained blocked. TikTok was also blocked. Although YouTube was accessible on broadband, it was not available on mobile data.
Since 31 July, social media platforms, including Facebook, have been accessible again in Bangladesh. However, on Friday afternoon, the cache of Meta platforms on mobile networks, along with Telegram, was shut down again. These services were restored after five and a half hours.
The anti-discrimination student movement has called for a full-fledged non-cooperation movement demanding the government’s resignation from today. Clashes have occurred in various parts of the country, including the capital Dhaka, with reports of deaths and injuries.
