The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) granted a feasibility study fund to CdNet Communications (CdNet), a Bangladeshi telecommunications company. This grant aims to enhance internet connectivity in Bangladesh by supporting the development of the Bangladesh International Submarine Cable (Bagha-1).
Bagha-1 Subsea Cable
Once deployed, the Bagha-1 cable will bolster bandwidth accessibility for internet users in Bangladesh, fostering the growth of secure, high-speed internet connections and fortifying the nation's digital infrastructure resilience.
“Across the Indo-Pacific, USTDA is building a portfolio of subsea cable projects with partners like CdNet who are committed to expanding their countries’ broadband capacity through trusted subsea fiber optic cable systems,” said USTDA Director Enoh Ebong.
He noted that the Agency fosters collaborative ecosystems to ensure the success of projects like Bagha-1. This is done by leveraging the expertise and resources of project developers, the US private sector, government agencies, financial institutions, and allied Indo-Pacific partners.
Feasibility Study
Florida-based APTelecom is selected by CdNet to conduct the feasibility study. This USTDA-funded study will aid CdNet in evaluating various options to determine the most strategic approach for deploying a reliable subsea cable system in Bangladesh.
Notably, the Bagha-1 subsea cable will boost capacity and enhance internet quality across both urban and rural areas in Bangladesh.
“Bagha-1 would help bolster Bangladesh’s reliable and trusted connectivity to the world and unlock massive opportunities for emerging digital services including 5G services, international data centers and for international hyperscalers,” said CdNet Director Dr. Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat. “We are proud to be part of this journey towards a more connected and prosperous future for Bangladesh.”
