Dhaka, Bangladesh — April 20, 2026
Mobile operators in Bangladesh have warned of an imminent collapse of internet and mobile phone networks due to severe energy shortages triggered by the Iran war, threatening communications for the country’s 170 million residents.
Critical Fuel Shortages Threaten Telecom Infrastructure
Telecommunications companies in Bangladesh are grappling with drastically reduced power supplies and uncertain fuel availability, putting critical infrastructure at risk. Several strategically important facilities now operate with critically low fuel reserves, raising alarms about potential nationwide service outages.
The country relies heavily on imported oil and gas, with 95 percent of its needs sourced from the Middle East. Disruptions in supply chains, exacerbated by the Iran conflict, have left Bangladesh vulnerable to energy instability. Mobile operators, represented by the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB), have urgently flagged the crisis to regulators, citing the dire consequences of prolonged fuel shortages.
Economic and Social Fallout Looms
A collapse of mobile networks would disrupt daily life across Bangladesh, where digital services are integral to commerce, education, and emergency communications. The energy crisis has already strained the economy, and a telecom blackout could further isolate communities and businesses.