India officially ended internet bandwidth imports from Bangladesh on October 21, 2025, marking a landmark achievement in digital self-reliance. BSNL disconnected the remaining 10 Gbps link at midnight, shifting all Northeast connectivity to domestic fiber optic and satellite networks after nearly a decade of cross-border bandwidth supply through the Akhaura-Agartala route.
Table of Contents
India Stops Bandwidth Imports from Bangladesh
Bandwidth Deal Timeline
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Agreement Start | June 6, 2015 (PM Modi’s Dhaka visit) |
| Capacity | 10 Gbps (initially 20 Gbps) |
| Route | Akhaura-Agartala via Cox’s Bazar |
| Service Provider | Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC |
| Disconnection Date | October 21, 2025 (midnight) |
| Dependency | ~20% of Northeast internet needs |
| Status | Permanently discontinued |
Strategic Context: Digital Self-Reliance
India has officially ceased importing internet bandwidth from Bangladesh, marking a landmark achievement in its journey towards digital self-reliance. BSNL is taking over bandwidth supply through its 100% indigenous Swadeshi 4G network infrastructure. This strategic shift aligns with the government’s 4G Saturation Project, aimed at bringing high-speed internet access to every village and remote area in India.
BSNL’s Financial Turnaround
BSNL has achieved a remarkable financial turnaround—from years of losses, the state-run telecom provider is now back in profit and rapidly expanding its services. The indigenous 4G rollout has begun at scale and is being recognized as a technological milestone for India.
Northeast Connectivity Challenge
The bandwidth supply from Bangladesh played a crucial role for India’s “Seven Sisters” region, which has remained digitally isolated compared to major digital hubs like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, mainly due to inadequate transmission facilities. The 10 Gbps link through Bangladesh’s terrestrial optical fiber provided stable connectivity for Tripura and surrounding states.
Diplomatic Context
The move comes amid cooling India-Bangladesh relations following the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Her successor, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, caused controversy after calling India’s Northeast “landlocked” and inviting China to expand its influence through Bangladeshi ports.
Previous Disruptions
The BSCPLC and BSNL commercial relationship has been marred by repeated interruptions due to “financial difficulties” on the Indian side. BSNL temporarily stopped the service in February 2020, resuming in November 2021 under a new agreement before this permanent discontinuation.
The Verdict: By switching to domestic infrastructure through BSNL’s indigenous networks, India expects cost savings, enhanced national security, and elimination of cross-border service interruption risks. For more tech updates, visit TechnoSports.
FAQs
When did India stop importing bandwidth from Bangladesh?
October 21, 2025 at midnight, ending a nearly 10-year agreement that began in June 2015.
How will Northeast India get internet now?
Through BSNL’s domestic fiber optic and satellite networks under the indigenous Swadeshi 4G infrastructure rollout.
