Meghalaya CM Sangma Announces Alliance for High-Speed Internet through Bangladesh

Shillong- During his budget speech, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma revealed a plan for a strategic alliance to develop the state’s digital ecosystem with high-speed internet connectivity through Bangladesh. The move, along with the International Internet Gateway (IIG) project, is expected to be instrumental in taking the state’s fast-expanding IT industry forward.

Sangma clarified that the project will entail the use of submarine cables landing in Chittagong, Bangladesh, with the assistance of Malaysian telecommunication companies, as well as the Bangladesh government and telecommunication agencies. The collaboration is meant to create a direct internet connection to Meghalaya, enhancing the state’s IT and digital sector.

Speaking to the media personnel, the Chief Minister gave more information on the technical side of the project, saying that Meghalaya’s PowerTel, which is the telecommunication arm of Power Grid, and MePTCL towers would play a pivotal role in creating the vital link. “We are making an attempt to connect the gateway to Shillong’s IT Park and the New Shillong city directly, and there we would also develop a state-of-the-art three-tier data center and an integrated command control center,” Sangma disclosed.

This will help upgrade the quality of internet services in the state so that people get access to cheaper and reliable high-speed connectivity. But Sangma admitted that there were challenges to the fact that several agencies and governments were involved. “There are complexities with the coordination with different entities, especially in Bangladesh. We are encountering some issues, but we are committed to surmounting them,” he said, adding that the plan had been ongoing since last year but was being kept secret until the state had made substantial advances.

Sangma also pointed out the state’s relentless pursuit of digital inclusion, reporting that almost 98% of the proposed telecom towers had already been erected, providing 4G connectivity even in the most rural parts of Meghalaya. “89% of our villages are connected by at least one telecom technology today. We plan to cover the rest of the villages and enhance bandwidth in the next few years,” he further added.

This project is a major milestone in enhancing the broadband infrastructure in Meghalaya, promoting digital development, and making all the nooks and corners of the state digitally linked.