Internet
Cyberbullying: What to Do If Someone is Harassing You Online
Cyberbullying has emerged as a widespread concern in the contemporary digital era, as harassment across diverse online platforms has become increasingly frequent. This type of bullying poses significant threats to the mental health and overall well-being of individuals. This underscores the importance of addressing this issue promptly and effectively.
What is Cyberbullying or Cyber Harassment?
Cyberbullying, also known as cyber harassment, refers to the use of digital communication tools such as social media platforms, messaging apps, or online forums to intimidate, threaten, or harass individuals. This form of bullying encompasses various actions, including sending hurtful messages, spreading rumours, sharing embarrassing photos or videos without consent, and creating fake accounts to impersonate and harass someone.
Cyberbullying can occur anonymously, making it difficult to identify perpetrators. Also, it can have profound and lasting effects on the mental and emotional well-being of victims.
Read more: '80% of cyberbullying victims are women'
Types of Cyberbullying
Harassment
Harassment entails sending mean or threatening messages to someone online. It can be done through text messages, emails, social media posts, or online chat rooms.
Exclusion
Exclusion involves intentionally leaving someone out of an online group or activity. For instance, a cyberbully might create a social media group and exclude their target.
Outing and Doxxing
Doxxing includes sharing someone's private information online without their consent. For example, their home address, phone number, or embarrassing photos.
Read more: Online bullying serious problem for 85% of Bangladesh youths: Survey
Impersonation
Impersonation means creating a fake online profile and pretending to be someone else. The cyberbully can then use this fake profile to send mean messages or damage the victim's reputation.
Trickery
Trickery mainly is deceiving someone into sharing personal information or embarrassing photos. For example, a cyberbully might create a fake survey to obtain personal details.
Cyberstalking
This involves using technology to harass, intimidate, or threaten someone. This includes sending threatening messages or tracking the victim's online activity.
Read more: Why are Suicide Rates Higher Among Men?
Flaming
Flaming is described as posting angry or insulting messages on someone's social media page or online forum.
Trolling
Trolling entails posting inflammatory or off-topic messages in an online forum to upset other users.
Fraping
A frape happens when someone changes another person’s information on social media without them knowing or giving permission.
Read more: How to Protect Your Child from Sexual Abuse?
Impacts of Cyber Harassment
Emotional Distress
Cyberbullying can lead to profound emotional turmoil, including feelings of sadness, humiliation, and anger. Victims often experience heightened anxiety, constantly anticipating the next hurtful encounter, which undermines their sense of safety and well-being.
Psychological Effects
Research shows a significant correlation between cyberbullying and psychological challenges. Victims of cyberbullying frequently endure elevated levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation.
The relentless influx of derogatory messages and harassment often fosters sentiments of powerlessness and diminished self-worth. Also, the incessant negativity and pressure can prove overwhelming for those targeted.
Read more: Students with Depression: Tips for Parents and Educators
Social Isolation and Self-Esteem Damage
Cyberbullying can cause individuals to retreat from both online and offline social interactions, fearing additional harassment or scrutiny from their peers. This can foster feelings of isolation and solitude. Additionally, cyberbullying can profoundly impact an individual's self-esteem, as the recurrent attacks can engender feelings of worthlessness and insecurity.
Academic Consequences
The emotional distress caused by cyberbullying can impact victims' ability to concentrate on their studies and perform academically. Consequently, this can lead to a decline in grades and overall academic performance of the bullied person.
Physical Health Issues
The prolonged stress and anxiety caused by cyberbullying can manifest in physical health problems such as headaches, insomnia, and gastrointestinal issues. Victims may also experience changes in appetite and energy levels.
Read more: Digital Detox: Unplugging for Stress Relief and Mental Wellbeing
Long-term Effects
The effects of cyberbullying can extend beyond the immediate harassment, affecting victims' long-term mental health and well-being. Some individuals may carry the trauma of cyberbullying into adulthood, impacting their relationships and overall quality of life.
Bystander Effects
Observing cyberbullying can exacerbate mental health issues and foster an atmosphere of apprehension and vulnerability. It can instil fear of becoming a target, erode trust in online interactions and impact individuals' well-being.
What to do If You Experience Cyberbullying in Bangladesh
Stay Calm
It is essential to maintain composure and refrain from impulsive reactions to harassment. Responding to the bully may exacerbate the situation, as it gratifies their desire for a reaction. So, try to resist the temptation to engage with their messages or posts.
Read more: Helicopter Parenting: Signs, Pros, Cons and How to Change
Document Evidence
It is important to document instances of cyberbullying, whether through screenshots of messages or posts or by noting down dates and times. This evidence will prove invaluable should you need to report the bullying at a later stage.
Reach Out for Support
It is highly recommended to discuss your experiences with a reliable friend, family member, another trusted adult, or mental health professional. They can provide valuable support and advice on navigating through the situation effectively.
Block the Bully
You may utilise privacy settings to block the person responsible for the harassment from reaching out to you further. Most social media platforms and messaging apps offer the option to block individuals. It can effectively prevent any further contact with them.
Read more: Workplace stress affecting women in Bangladesh needs attention
Report the Abuse to the Platform
Utilising the available reporting tools to report instances of cyberbullying is crucial. Most social media platforms and online forums provide mechanisms for reporting abusive behaviour. Report the cyberbullying to the relevant website or platform, as they typically have anti-bullying policies and may take disciplinary action against the perpetrator, such as suspending their account.
Seek Legal Advice
In instances of severe cyberbullying, it is advisable to seek advice from a legal professional. The available remedies for cyberbullying may vary depending on individual circumstances. Victims are advised to seek legal counsel from a lawyer knowledgeable about cyberbullying and relevant laws for guidance.
File a Report
Victims of cyberbullying have the option to file a criminal complaint with the police under the Cyber Security Act of 2023. This act criminalises cyberbullying and imposes imprisonment and/or fines on offenders found guilty.
Read more: Parliament passes Cyber Security Bill 2023
Cyber Crime Help Desk
Bangladesh Police operates a Cyber Crime Help Desk for women (https://www.police.gov.bd/en/police_cyber_support_for_women) where victims can report incidents of cyberbullying and seek assistance. Evidence and proof (links, screenshots, etc) of cyberbullying can be forwarded via email to [email protected]
Also, victims can lodge complaints through multiple channels, including the dedicated hotlines at the Police Headquarters, the nearest police station or the official Facebook page of "Cyber Police Centre, CID, Bangladesh Police."
Alternative Reporting
Cybercrime victims also have the option to file complaints with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) by calling their hotlines or emailing [email protected].
Read more: Sibling Bullying and Abuse: Reasons, Types, Signs and Prevention
BTRC pledges to take action within 24 hours, with perpetrators brought to justice within 3 days of filing the complaint. The government has also introduced a cyber-crime helpline at +88-02-55007183 for victims to report their complaints.
Consider Civil Suit
Victims can pursue a civil suit for damages against the perpetrator, seeking compensation for emotional distress and reputation damage caused by cyberbullying. In cases of criminal intimidation, the perpetrator may be liable under the Penal Code 1860.
Seek Restraining Orders
Although the term "restraining order" is not specifically defined in Bangladesh’s law, victims can apply under relevant sections before a competent executive magistrate to prohibit a perpetrator from making unlawful contact.
Read more: Should You See a Therapist? 8 Surefire Signs You Need Help
Take Care of Yourself
The emotional strain of cyberbullying can impact your mental well-being. You should prioritise self-care by reaching out to loved ones, participating in activities that bring you joy, and seeking professional assistance if necessary. Concentrate on self-nurturing activities to alleviate stress during this demanding period.
Verdict
Cyber harassment is a serious issue that can have profound consequences on individuals' lives. It is crucial to recognise the signs of cyberbullying, take proactive measures to protect oneself and seek support if victimised. By working together to combat cyberbullying, we can create safer and more inclusive online communities.
Read more: Bullying in School: How to Protect Children and Deal with the Issue
Internet users in Bangladesh reach 131 mln as of 2023
The number of internet subscribers reached 131 million at the end of December, 2023, including nearly 7 million new users in the last year, showed the recently released data by the country's telecom regulator.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) data showed that of the internet subscribers, some 118.49 million are mobile internet users and 12.88 million broadband internet users.
Read more: US expresses concerns over Sri Lanka's controversial internet regulation law
Meanwhile, with 10.61 million new mobile users in 2023, the number of subscribers in the country reached 190.81 million in December 2023.
Bangladesh has currently four mobile companies in operation, three of them being foreign-backed cellphone operators.
The number of subscribers of mobile operators Grameen Phone, Robi Axiata, Banglalink Digital Communications and Teletalk Bangladesh stood at 82.20 million, 58.67 million, 43.48 million and 6.46 million, respectively, at the end of December, the data shows.
Read more: Internet, phone service gradually returns after vanishing for most of Gaza amid heavy bombardment
Internet service to be disrupted for 20 hours on Oct 31, Nov 2
Internet users may face a slow connection or disruption for 20 hours between 2 am on October 31 and 12 pm on November 2 with intermission due to upgradation of Bangladesh’s first submarine cable (SEA-ME-WE 4) in Cox’s Bazar.
A media release signed by director general (operation and maintenance) of Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC shared the development to the media.
Read: Khawaja Tower fire burns IIG, affecting Internet speed for many ISPs
Regretting the inconvenience, the authorities concerned informed that the internet service will remain slow or will be disrupted for 10 hours from 2 am to 12 pm on October 31 and for another 10 hours from 2 am to 12 pm on November 2, as the circuits connected to cables will partially remain stopped.
However, the circuits of the country’s second submarine cable (SEA-ME-WE 5) will remain functional as usual, according to the press release.
Read: Minimum validity period for mobile internet packages now 7 days: Mustafa Jabbar
After the upgradation, the bandwidth capacity through the SEA-ME-WE 4 cable will increase remarkably, it said.
StarLink: What's special about Elon Musk's SpaceX satellite internet service?
In today’s interconnected world, access to reliable and high-speed internet has become an essential aspect of modern life. The internet serves as the backbone of communication, information sharing, education, business, and countless other activities that shape our daily routines. However, despite the significant advancements in internet technology over the past few decades, a considerable part of the global population remains underserved or even entirely disconnected from the digital world. This digital divide is particularly evident in rural and remote areas, where traditional internet infrastructure is often impractical or prohibitively expensive to deploy.
To address this pressing issue and fulfill the growing necessity for internet services worldwide, innovative solutions have emerged. One of the most ambitious and groundbreaking ventures is Starlink, a satellite internet constellation project spearheaded by SpaceX, the private space exploration company founded by Elon Musk.
What is StarLink?
Starlink is a project created by SpaceX, a private company led by Elon Musk. They're putting a bunch of satellites up in space to make the internet work better for everyone. These satellites form a "constellation" and help bring the internet to even the remotest places on earth. Officially launched in 2019, the primary goal of Starlink is to provide global internet coverage by deploying a large number of small satellites into low earth orbit (LEO).
Read more: How AI Can Improve Education
Everything we know about Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellites and Future Internet Plans
As of May 2023, Starlink’s operational network encompasses more than 4,000 mass-produced, compact satellites positioned in LEO. These satellites maintain communication with specific ground transceivers. The ambitious project aims to deploy a total of nearly 12,000 satellites, with potential future expansion of up to 42,000 satellites. Notably, SpaceX celebrated reaching a significant milestone by acquiring over 1 million subscribers in December 2022, and within just a few months, that number surged to 1.5 million subscribers as of May 2023.
The Starlink Constellation: Size and Ambition
The Starlink constellation consists of thousands of satellites orbiting at altitudes between 340 km (210 miles) and 1,200 km (750 miles) above earth’s surface. These satellites work in a cycle to create a network that beams high-speed internet signals down to earth, making it accessible to users with compatible receiving terminals, commonly referred to as user terminals or satellite dishes.
Starlink’s internet is different from regular internet because it doesn’t use towers and cables on the ground. Instead, it has satellites that fly much closer to the earth. This closeness makes the internet faster because data doesn’t have to travel as far. It’s like having a shorter distance for messages to go back and forth between you and the satellite. This is really helpful in places that are far away from cities or places where getting good internet is hard. So, Starlink can provide better internet performance, especially in those remote and underserved areas.
Read more: Top 10 Humanoid AI Robots in 2023 So Far
Beta Testing and Expansion
Starlink has conducted multiple phases of beta testing, known as the “Better Than Nothing Beta” program, where users in select regions were invited to test the service and provide feedback. During the beta phase, the system underwent improvements and optimizations based on user experiences.
As the beta testing progresses, SpaceX has gradually expanded the coverage area, reaching more users in different parts of the world. The company has been seeking regulatory approvals from various countries to operate its satellite internet service globally.
User Terminals (Satellite Dishes)
To access the Starlink internet service, users receive a phased-array satellite dish, commonly known as a user terminal or satellite dish. These user terminals are designed to automatically track and connect to passing satellites overhead, making it easy for users to set up and use the service.
Internet stunned by Russian cat as tall as a four-year-old child
A cat's size is making headlines on social media. Yulina Minina, who lives in Russia's Belgorod area, has the feline as a pet.
The woman continues to post videos of her enormous cat, which she claims is the size of her four-year-old daughter, Anechka, reports NDTV.
Also read: Voices raised against cruelty towards DU campus cats
In the most recent video, the cat is shown standing on its hind legs and reaching for the door handle. Minina stated that the cat named Kefir is a Maine Coon, one of the biggest domesticated cat breeds.
Kefir the cat is seen running outdoors after unlocking the door to stretch its long limbs in the sun before relaxing in the yard in the video. Other films and photographs show Minina, her four-year-old daughter, and Kefir having fun at home.
In one charming video, the duo can be seen resting on the sofa while the child watches cartoon, the report also said.
Also read: Cats strut their stuff on the ramp for first time
"Beautiful, beautiful baby. Wow! Our pets are better than many people. They deserve our love and deep care. Pretty baby I will say prayers to keep you in God's care," one user commented on her Instagram post.
"That cat eats better than a 4 year old Ukrainian girl," said another. "I'm in love with this guy," said another user.
Also read: First of its kind: Cat Show held in Barishal
Maine Coons are domesticated cats that originated in the state of Maine in the United States. They are one of the oldest indigenous breeds in North America and are known for their size, added the report.
Mini DC UPS for Wi-Fi Router: Buyers' Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh
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Is a Mini DC UPS for Wi-Fi Router Safe?
Before delving into the buying considerations, it's crucial to address safety concerns. Mini DC UPS systems are designed to provide backup power during brief power outages, ensuring uninterrupted internet connectivity. These devices are generally safe to use when installed and operated according to the manufacturer's instructions.
It is essential to choose a high-quality product from a reputable brand to ensure reliability and safety. Moreover, the users need to follow the instructions in user manuals to avoid unwanted accidents.
Read more: Understanding VPN: The Comprehensive Guide
Things to Consider to Buy a Mini DC UPS for Router
Capacity
It is required to evaluate the power requirements of the internet router and choose a Mini DC UPS with an adequate capacity to provide backup power for an extended period.
Battery Type
Consider the type of battery used in the UPS. Lithium-ion batteries are common in Mini DC UPS systems due to their high energy density and long lifespan.
Charging Time
The user needs to search for a UPS with a short charging time to ensure quick recovery after a power outage.
Battery Backup Time
It is essential to determine the desired duration of backup power required for the internet router and pick the right UPS that can meet the users’ specific needs.
Connectivity Options
It is recommended to check if the Mini DC UPS provides multiple output ports to connect other devices, such as modems or VoIP phones, if necessary.
Overload and Surge Protection
The user needs to ensure that the UPS offers protection against power surges and overload conditions to safeguard the internet router and connected devices.
Read more: IPS Buyer's Guide with Price Ranges in Bangladesh
Price Ranges of Mini DC UPS for Routers in Bangladesh
Mini DC UPS prices in Bangladesh may vary based on the brand, capacity, and additional features. Here are the most popular ones:
Smart UPS
Smart UPS is a versatile power backup solution designed for various devices such as routers, gaming routers, media converters, ONUs, IP cameras, CCTV cameras, and more. Manufactured by Smart Life BD under the Rainbow brand, this Smart UPS offers reliable performance and convenience.
The body of the UPS is made of durable metal, ensuring long-lasting use. With a weight of 0.6kg and compact dimensions of 13 cm in length, 5 cm in height, and 7.5cm in width, it is easy to handle and transport.
The UPS is equipped with a lithium iron phosphate or lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 9000mAh, providing a backup time of up to 7 hours or more. It has a maximum output current of 2A and is available in configurations of 12V/12V, 12V/9V, or 12V/5V, with the possibility of 9V/9V and 5V/5V upon request.
The package includes the Smart UPS itself, along with 2 output DC cables and a 12V 5A original charger. The Smart UPS is priced at 2250 BDT.
Understanding VPN: The Comprehensive Guide
From online frauds, and scams to even hacking sensitive personal information, the Internet these days seems to be a haven for fraudsters. There’s a growing concern about internet security and how it might jeopardize the security of information and finance of people and organizations. VPN or Virtual Private Network can be a solution to such problems. Millions of people around the world are adopting VPNs for their data security and safe online browsing. So here’s a beginner's guide on VPN. Let’s find out how a VPN works, the benefits, and the types of VPNs.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Generally, the internet is provided through an ISP which processes all of their user’s traffic simultaneously. This makes them susceptible to malicious attacks which might intercept the net traffic to access personal data.
A VPN works as an intermediary between the computer and the destination to make it untraceable. There are a few complicated steps involved in the process. Let’s have a look.
Read more: How to Protect Your YouTube Channel from Getting Hacked
How Does VPN Work?
VPN creates a secure channel between the computer and the intended destination by developing a private network just for the user. The data gets encrypted and sent directly to the VPN server. There it gets decoded and sent to the intended location. This middle encryption allows the data to be completely untraceable by anyone.
Every device has a unique IP address that can be used to trace all of its activity. VPN essentially masks the IP address and assigns a new IP address from their server. As a result, the data becomes completely untraceable even by the ISP. VPN works not only to maintain anonymity online and protect privacy but also to allow users to access region-specific content.
Benefits of Using a VPN
There are a lot of benefits to using VPN. Here are a mentionable few.
Enhanced Privacy
VPN brings enhanced privacy thanks to the end-to-end encryption between you and the VPN server, making it impossible to be tracked by a third party.
Read More: Bank Account Hacking Protection: How to save financial accounts from hackers?
Secured Data Transmission
The end-to-end computer-to-server extension also allows for secured data transmission. This is especially helpful if a user is in a public network zone like using free wifi. It's impossible to tell who else is signed into the network and what kind of monitoring they might be running. Secured encryption allows for safe data transmission.
Bypassing Geographical Restrictions
VPN helps to bypass geographical restrictions so that a user can access services that might not be available in their location or to evade censorship. For example, Netflix has a host of shows that are available in the UK but not in India. With VPN, a user from India can reroute their IP through the UK and access all the contents regardless of the restrictions.
Chinese ships cut internet of Taiwan's outlying islands
In the past month, bed and breakfast owner Chen Yu-lin had to tell his guests he couldn't provide them with the internet.
Others living on Matsu, one of Taiwan’s outlying islands closer to neighboring China, had to struggle with paying electricity bills, making a doctor's appointment or receiving a package.
For connecting to the outside world, Matsu's 14,000 residents rely on two submarine internet cables leading to Taiwan's main island. The first cable was severed by a Chinese fishing vessel some 50 kilometers (31 miles) out at sea. Six days later, on Feb. 8, a Chinese cargo ship cut the second, according to Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan’s largest service provider and owner of the cables.
The islanders in the meantime were forced to hook up to a limited internet via microwave radio transmission, a more mature technology, as backup. It means one could wait hours to send a text. Calls would drop, and videos were unwatchable.
“A lot of tourists would cancel their booking because there’s no internet. Nowadays, the internet plays a very large role in people’s lives,” said Chen, who lives in Beigan, one of Matsu’s main residential islands.
Also Read: US approves selling Taiwan munitions worth $619 million
Apart from disrupting lives, the loss of the internet cables, seemingly innocuous, has huge implications for national security.
As the full-scale invasion of Ukraine has shown, Russia has made taking out internet infrastructure one of the key parts of its strategy. Some experts suspect China may have cut the cables deliberately as part of its harassment of the self-ruled island it considers part of its territory, to be reunited by force if necessary.
China regularly sends warplanes and navy ships toward Taiwan as part of tactics to intimidate the island’s democratic government. Concerns about China's invasion, and Taiwan's preparedness to withstand it, have increased since the war in Ukraine.
The cables had been cut a total of 27 times in the past five years, according to Chunghwa Telecom.
Taiwan's coast guard gave chase to the fishing vessel that cut the first cable on Feb. 2, but it went back to Chinese waters, according to a person who was briefed on the incident and was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
So far, the Taiwanese government has not pointed a direct finger at Beijing.
“We can’t rule out that China destroyed these on purpose,” said Su Tzu-yun, a defense expert at the government think tank, Institute for National Defense and Security Research, citing a research that only China and Russia had the technical capabilities to do this. “Taiwan needs to invest more resources in repairing and protecting the cables.”
Internet cables, which can be anywhere between 20 millimeters to 30 millimeters (0.79 inches to 1.18 inches) wide, are encased in steel armor in shallow waters where they’re more likely to run into ships. Despite the protection, cables can get cut quite easily by ships and their anchors, or fishing boats using steel nets.
Even so, “this level of breakage is highly unusual for a cable, even in the shallow waters of the Taiwan Strait," said Geoff Huston, chief scientist at Asia Pacific Network Information Centre, a non-profit that manages and distributes Internet resources like IP addresses for the region.
Without a stable internet, coffee shop owner Chiu Sih-chi said seeing the doctor for his toddler son's cold became a hassle because first they had to visit the hospital to just get an appointment.
A breakfast shop owner said she lost thousands of dollars in the past few weeks because she usually takes online orders. Customers would come to her stall expecting the food to be ready when she hadn't even seen their messages.
Faced with unusual difficulties, Matsu residents came up with all sorts of ways to organize their lives.
One couple planned to deal with the coming peak season by having one person stay in Taiwan to access their reservation system and passing the information on to the other via text messages. Wife Lin Hsian-wen extended her vacation in Taiwan during the off-season when she heard the internet back home wasn't working and is returning to Matsu later in the week.
Some enterprising residents went across to the other shore to buy SIM cards from Chinese telecoms, though those only work well in the spots closer to the Chinese coast, which is only 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) away at its closest point.
Others, like the bed and breakfast owner Tsao Li-yu, would go to Chunghwa Telecom’s office to use a Wi-Fi hot spot the company had set up for locals to use in the meantime.
“I was going to work at (Chunghwa Telecom),” Tsao joked.
Chunghwa had set up microwave transmission as backup for the residents. Broadcast from Yangmingshan, a mountain just outside of Taipei, Taiwan's capital, the relay beams the signals some 200 kilometers (124 miles) across to Matsu. Since Sunday, speeds were noticeably faster, residents said.
Wang Chung Ming, the head of Lienchiang County, as the Matsu islands are officially called, said he and the legislator from Matsu went to Taipei shortly after the internet broke down to ask for help, and was told they would get priority in any future internet backup plans.
Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs publicly asked for bids from low-Earth orbit satellite operators to provide the internet in a backup plan, after seeing Russia's cyberattacks in the invasion of Ukraine, the head of the ministry, Audrey Tang, told The Washington Post last fall. Yet, the plan remains stalled as a law in Taiwan requires the providers to be at least 51% owned by a domestic shareholder.
A spokesperson for the Digital Ministry directed questions about the progress of backup plans to the National Communications Commission. NCC said it will install a surveillance system for the undersea cables, while relying on microwave transmission as a backup option.
Many Pacific island nations, before they started using internet cables, depended on satellites — and some still do — as backup, said Jonathan Brewer, a telecommunications consultant from New Zealand who works across Asia and the Pacific.
There's also the question of cost. Repairing the cables is expensive, with an early estimate of $30 million New Taiwan Dollars ($1 million) for the work of the ships alone.
“The Chinese boats that damaged the cables should be held accountable and pay compensation for the highly expensive repairs,” said Wen Lii, the head of the Matsu chapter of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
Wang, the head of Lienchiang County, said he had mentioned the cables on a recent visit to China, where he had met an executive from China Mobile. They offered to send technicians to help. But compensation, he said, will require providing hard proof on who did it.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a faxed request for comment.
For now, the only thing residents can do is wait. The earliest cable-laying ships can come is April 20, because there are a limited number of vessels that can do the job.
A month without functional internet has its upsides too. Chen Yu-lin, the bed and breakfast owner, has felt more at peace.
It was hard in the first week, but Chen quickly got used to it. “From a life perspective, I think it’s much more comfortable because you get fewer calls,” he said, adding he was spending more time with his son, who usually is playing games online.
At a web cafe where off-duty soldiers were playing offline games, the effect was the same.
“Our relationships have become a bit closer," said one soldier who only gave his first name, Samuel. “Because normally when there’s internet, everyone keeps to themselves, and now we’re more connected."
Locals complain of internet service disruption around BNP rally venue in Rajshahi
locals complained of internet service disruption at and around five km area of the BNP rally venue in Rajshahi city since Saturday morning.
Local people said that internet service in Pathanpara, Sipaipara, Laxmipur, Fire Service intersection, Bornali and Nagarbhaban areas of the city has been disrupted since 9:30 am today.
Sajal, a local internet service provider worker, said internet services were suspended from the main server.
BNP central leader Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu said, “The government is hindering our activities and suspension of internet services is one of them.”
Read: Locals complain of slow mobile internet amid BNP rally
BNP's divisional rally in Rajshahi began on Saturday morning, with the presence of thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies.
The rally began around 9:30 am at the city’s Haji Mohammad Mohsin School Ground.
As BNP holds rally, users in Barishal complain of disrupted internet service
Users in Barishal are complaining of disrupted mobile and broadband internet services in the city since this morning amid the ongoing divisional rally of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Subscribers of telecom operators in the city and BNP activists present at Bangabandhu Park have complained about the disruption in internet services.
“I couldn’t send photos of the BNP rally to my office due to mobile internet not functioning since this morning. I had to go to a shop and use broadband internet, which was also slow,” Nurul Amin, a local journalist, said.
Broadband connection providers did not respond to the complaints.
Read: BNP divisional rally begins at packed Barishal venue
Md Adnan, a resident of Kashipur union under Barishal Sadar upazila, said that he too could not use mobile internet since morning.
“However, the broadband internet connection in my house is working,” Adnan said.