Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC, a state-owned company under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, has announced two special incentive packages to make international bandwidth use more affordable. The initiative, effective from March 10, 2026, aims to support the government’s election pledge of ensuring fast and reliable internet for all. Internet service providers (ISPs), international internet gateways (IIGs), and telecom operators will benefit from reduced costs when purchasing new bandwidth capacity.

Under the first package, customers purchasing new IPLC capacity on the SEA-ME-WE-4 Cox’s Bazar–Singapore route will receive bonus capacity—such as 100G free for every 200G purchased or an additional 10G for each 10G bought. Customers with outstanding dues can also qualify if they submit post-dated checks with a repayment schedule within 2026. The offer applies only to new capacity purchases on a first-come, first-served basis.

The second package, effective April 1, 2026, offers up to 70% free limited destination bandwidth for prepaid customers with zero dues under the company’s IP transit service. The company expects these incentives to lower bandwidth prices below Tk 90 per megabit and support the growth of a knowledge-based digital economy.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that achieving a global standard in information sharing is essential for delivering modern government services. He stated that such progress would allow talent to flourish even at the village level. The minister made these remarks on Friday while addressing an iftar gathering organized by the Dhaka Reporters Unity, where the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli was also present.

Swapan noted that information sharing currently operates through a hybrid system and that in today’s device-based society, the exchange of information has become much more extensive. He emphasized the need for regular consultations with journalists to address issues facing the media sector.

The minister added that solving media-related problems requires a proper understanding of their structure, comparing it to diagnosing and treating an illness. He urged journalists to submit specific proposals to help resolve their professional challenges.

Global digital operator VEON Limited has partnered with the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation to jointly finance innovative digital projects in Bangladesh and Pakistan. The agreement was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed during the 2026 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Present at the signing were GSMA’s Chief Regulatory Officer and Foundation President John Giusti, Jazz CEO Amir Ibrahim, and Banglalink CEO Erik Aas.

Under the agreement, Jazz and Banglalink will co-finance selected Bangladeshi and Pakistani startups during the 2026 funding round. In addition to financial support, VEON and its subsidiaries will contribute to ecosystem development and capacity building, enabling selected ventures to expand more rapidly.

The GSMA Innovation Fund identifies and supports startups in developing countries that address socioeconomic and environmental challenges. Projects are selected through a transparent and competitive process following each funding round announcement, with final selections made after rigorous evaluation by the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is set to introduce a mobile application called 'Nagarik Seba' aimed at addressing urban issues faced by city residents. According to an invitation letter from the party’s Dhaka Metropolitan North unit, the app will allow users to report problems such as mosquito infestations, waterlogging, garbage accumulation, and damaged roads in their local areas. The launch event is scheduled for Thursday, March 5, at 11 a.m. at a residence on Progoti Sarani’s main road in Dhaka’s J Block, Bajidhara.

The initiative is being organized by Jamaat’s Dhaka Metropolitan North division, with its Ameer, Mohammad Selim Uddin, expected to inaugurate the app. The invitation stated that a dedicated team will work to resolve reported issues promptly through the app. The announcement highlights Jamaat’s effort to engage with urban communities through a digital platform focused on civic problem-solving.

The launch marks a move by the party to use technology for community service and local engagement in Dhaka’s urban management context.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has reported that two of its data centers in the United Arab Emirates were damaged in drone strikes. The company also confirmed a separate drone incident near another AWS facility in Bahrain. According to AWS, the attacks caused direct structural damage and disrupted power supply to one of the affected buildings.

AWS, a global provider of data storage and digital services, stated that the damaged centers host critical infrastructure supporting websites and online applications. The company warned that such incidents could have serious consequences for businesses relying on its regional operations.

In response to what it described as an unexpected situation in the Middle East, AWS urged customers to immediately back up their data or consider relocating their systems to other regions, including the United States, Asia, or Europe.

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) has suspended the trial launch of its Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) service. The company confirmed the decision in an official Facebook post on Friday, February 27, 2026, citing unavoidable reasons. BTCL stated that customers will be informed later about the marketing of MVNO SIM cards.

Earlier, BTCL had announced that its MVNO SIM and triple-play packages combining voice, data, and content would be available from February 15 at sales centers in Ramna, Gulistan, and Gulshan. The company had also inaugurated the trial of an unlimited quad-play service under the MVNO model on February 3 at its Ramna office. The government had granted BTCL approval for the experimental MVNO network on November 25 of the previous year.

BTCL had planned to provide mobile services using Teletalk Bangladesh Limited’s network infrastructure under the MVNO model, which allows service without owning a mobile network. The suspension delays the company’s planned entry into the mobile service market.

WhatsApp is introducing a new message scheduling feature that allows users to write and set messages in advance for automatic delivery at a chosen date and time. The feature is currently being tested in the iOS beta version 26.710.72, with an Android rollout expected soon. Users can schedule greetings, reminders, or work-related messages without needing to be online when the message is sent.

The new option, available under the 'Chat Info' screen, lets users view all scheduled messages, edit their content, or delete them before sending. This feature aims to help users manage busy schedules and avoid forgetting important dates or communications. It marks the first time in WhatsApp’s 17-year history that users can schedule messages directly within the app.

By automating message delivery, WhatsApp seeks to make personal and professional communication more convenient, reducing the need for external reminders or third-party scheduling tools.

Huawei has introduced its new smartwatch, the Watch GT 6 Pro, at an event in Dubai. The company claims the device can detect early signs of diabetes risk by analyzing key physiological indicators, going beyond standard functions like tracking heart rate or walking speed. The smartwatch uses Huawei’s advanced photoplethysmography (PPG) technology, a light-based sensor typically used for heart rate and oxygen monitoring, combined with powerful software algorithms.

Unlike traditional glucose monitoring methods, the Watch GT 6 Pro does not pierce the skin or use needles. It observes PPG signal variations over a period of three to fourteen days and analyzes the data to predict potential metabolic irregularities. The results are displayed in three levels of risk: low, medium, and high. Tests were conducted on about 150 volunteers under Dubai Health Facilities, supervised by endocrinology and diabetes specialist Dr. Mariam Al Said of Mohammed Bin Rashid University.

Experts cited in the report noted that around 43 percent of people with diabetes remain undiagnosed, suggesting Huawei’s warning system could be life-saving for such users.

An article published on February 23, 2026, by Arif Bin Nazrul in Amader Desh explains how every online activity leaves behind a digital footprint. These traces, whether from social media posts, online shopping, or simple searches, remain stored across the internet. The report distinguishes between active footprints, created by deliberate sharing, and passive ones, formed unknowingly through cookies, IP addresses, and browsing data. It emphasizes that the internet rarely forgets, even when users delete content.

The piece highlights that in today’s digital economy, data is power. Large technology companies analyze user behavior to tailor advertisements and content, turning personal information into a valuable commodity. However, when such data falls into the wrong hands through breaches or hacking, it can lead to identity theft, fraud, or financial harm. Algorithms also build behavioral profiles that influence what information users see, potentially narrowing their online experiences.

The article concludes that while erasing digital footprints is nearly impossible, users can control them through awareness, privacy settings, strong passwords, and cautious sharing. Personal responsibility remains key in managing one’s digital presence.

Meta has announced that the standalone Messenger.com website will stop operating from April 6, 2026. After that date, users attempting to access Messenger.com will be automatically redirected to facebook.com/messages. This means that web-based messaging will only be available through Facebook’s main site. The Android and iOS mobile Messenger apps will continue to function as usual without any changes.

The company had previously discontinued the Messenger desktop applications for Windows and Mac, and this latest move extends that consolidation to the web version. Users who relied on Messenger.com without a Facebook account will now need to log in to Facebook to view or send messages. Small businesses, community groups, and individuals who preferred using the browser-based Messenger will have to switch to Facebook’s main desktop interface for chatting.

Meta’s decision marks another step in its broader integration strategy, bringing Messenger more tightly under the Facebook platform. Desktop users are advised to have their Facebook login credentials ready, as logging in will become mandatory for web-based messaging once the change takes effect.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, has declared transparency and accountability as the guiding principles for the country’s ICT sector. Speaking on 15 February at the ICT Division’s conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka, during a reception organized by the division, he emphasized that professionalism and sincerity of officials are essential for implementing government policies effectively.

Anam described ICT as a vital and promising sector, highlighting the government’s priority to expand ICT services to every upazila and make technology accessible to all citizens. He urged officials to work responsibly and collaboratively, noting that the new government seeks to earn public trust through visible progress and effective initiatives. He added that his main goal is to advance the ICT sector under a new vision and policy framework in a transparent and dynamic environment.

ICT Division Secretary Shish Haydar Chowdhury welcomed the new minister, affirming that the division serves as the hub of the country’s digital transformation and is implementing projects on ICT laws, data centers, hi-tech parks, digital services, startups, cybersecurity, and skilled workforce development.

YouTube, the world’s largest video-sharing platform, experienced a major technical disruption late Tuesday night, affecting millions of users worldwide. According to AFP, users across multiple regions reported being unable to access services. YouTube confirmed on social media platform X that it was aware of the issue and that its technical team was working to resolve it.

The outage caused videos to stop displaying across several YouTube services, including the homepage, YouTube app, YouTube Music, and YouTube Kids, which were temporarily nonfunctional. The company later stated that the homepage had been restored, though full service recovery was still in progress. Monitoring site Downdetector reported receiving more than 300,000 user complaints, and improvements began around 1 a.m. GMT.

Owned by Google, YouTube serves over 2.5 billion active users each month, making the disruption one of the most significant recent service interruptions for the platform.

The Government of Bangladesh has introduced a free Freelancer ID Card to officially recognize the country’s freelance professionals. Applications are being processed through the official website freelancers.gov.bd under the Information and Communication Technology sector. The initiative aims to create a national database of genuine freelancers and bring their profession under formal state recognition.

Previously, freelancers faced difficulties proving their professional identity for banking, taxation, and institutional purposes. The new government-issued ID card is expected to serve as a credible identity document, potentially easing access to financial and government services. Applicants must be Bangladeshi citizens with a national ID, verifiable freelance income from international clients, and proof of completed work.

Authorities have warned applicants not to provide false information, as fraudulent submissions could lead to legal complications. The government expects that the collected data will help design future training, incentives, and financial support programs, marking a significant step toward institutionalizing Bangladesh’s growing freelancing sector.

The U.S.-based social media platform X has removed blue verification badges from several senior Iranian officials’ accounts following allegations that it provided paid services to individuals under U.S. sanctions. The action came after a report by the Tech Transparency Project claimed that X’s paid subscription service, X Premium, was available to sanctioned Iranian figures.

Among those whose verification was revoked are Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani. Under U.S. sanctions law, American companies are prohibited from conducting business with certain individuals and entities. X has not issued any official comment on the matter.

The platform, owned by Elon Musk, had previously faced criticism for altering the design of the Iranian flag emoji on its web platform during protests in Iran, replacing the Islamic Republic emblem with the older “lion and sun” symbol associated with monarchist groups.

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) has postponed the launch of the country’s first Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) SIM and its integrated triple-play package combining voice, data, and content services. The launch, initially scheduled for February 15, 2026, will now take place on March 1, 2026, according to an official announcement citing unavoidable reasons for the delay.

A press release stated that BTCL successfully completed call tests for key MVNO services on February 8, 2026. These included voice and data calls, Alap-to-Mobile, Alap-to-Alap, and GPON integration. Despite earlier media reports suggesting a February 15 rollout, BTCL confirmed that the new date has been finalized for pilot marketing of the MVNO service.

Previously, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology had announced that the MVNO SIM and triple-play package would be available at BTCL’s sales centers in Ramna, Gulistan, and Gulshan from February 15. The revised schedule now sets March 1 as the official market introduction date.