Bangladeshi company CdNet Communications has won a feasibility study grant from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to expand reliable internet connectivity across Bangladesh through submarine cable extension.

The company will develop Bangladesh International Submarine Cable (Bagha-1) to increase capacity and improve internet quality in both urban and rural areas, says a press release of the USTDA.

USTDA and CdNet signed their grant agreement at the sixth Indo-Pacific Business Forum on Tuesday. Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Junior made a keynote remark on the occasion.

CdNet selected Florida-based APTelecom LLC to conduct the study.

Regarding the grant, USTDA Director Enoh T Ebong said that the developing agency is building a portfolio of subsea cable across the Indo-Pacific with partners like CdNet.

The partners are committed to expanding their countries’ broadband capacity through trusted subsea fibre optic cable systems, according to the official.
“Our agency helps to build a partnership-based ecosystem that leverages the resources and capabilities of project developers, the US private sector, US government agencies, financial institutions, and like-minded Indo-Pacific partners who are committed to the success of projects like Bagha-1,” Ebong added.

Subsea cables play a critical role in global communications. When implemented, the Bagha-1 cable will increase the bandwidth available to internet users in Bangladesh.

The connectivity will help expand secure high-speed internet connectivity and enhance the resilience of the country’s critical digital infrastructure.
USTDA’s study will assist CdNet in assessing options to identify the most strategic path for deploying a trusted subsea cable system in Bangladesh.

CDNet Director Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat said that Bagha-1 would help bolster Bangladesh’s reliable and trusted connectivity to the world, unlocking massive opportunities.

The connectivity will help emerging digital services including 5G services, international data centres and for international hyperscalers, according to the entrepreneur.

“We are proud to be a part of this journey towards a more connected and prosperous future for Bangladesh,” added Dr Chowdhury.

US Ambassador Peter Haas said that USTDA’s feasibility study will lay the groundwork for improved internet access and quality for the people of Bangladesh.

“We are proud to support a US business, in partnership with a Bangladeshi one, in building a more connected Bangladesh,” he said.

USTDA’s study advances the goals of Biden-Harris Administration priorities such as the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Project Preparation Facility.