Online Desk: The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) says it could take up to a week to fully restore internet services after a fire at a high-rise in Dhaka’s Mohakhali disrupted connections across the country. The fire-hit Khawaja Tower houses data centres and servers of several firms, but access to the building is currently restricted by law enforcement for security reasons, rendering it impossible to start repairs, according to Emdadul Hoque, president of ISPAB. “No one is allowed to enter the building for security reasons. Restoring services will be time-consuming without access to the equipment and the building,” he said on Friday, a day after the incident. “If we cannot reestablish operations in the building promptly, it may take another week for internet services to return to normal. If granted access today, we can start the process right away.” The fire broke out the 14-storey tower around 5 pm on Thursday. Eleven fire service units eventually extinguished the flames around 8:45 am on Friday.

Firefighters left the scene afterwards, with officers from Banani Police Station taking over security responsibilities for the building. Although they maintained a strict no-entry policy, a few officials from various institutions the building were seen making attempts to enter. Following the outbreak of the fire, reports emerged of internet service disruptions affecting offices and residences in parts of Dhaka, with service speeds diminishing in some instances. Emdadul said Khawaja Tower accommodates two major data centers, each connected to 10-12 IIGs, serving as service providers for hundreds of ISPs. The disruption has severely impacted the country’s broadband internet services. “Around 40 to 50 percent of ISPs across the country are directly affected, and another 30 to 40 percent will experience reduced service availability.”