Pakistan’s Internet Slowdown to Persist Until October Due to Cable Repairs, PTA Says

PTA Confirms Ongoing Internet Issues

Internet services across Pakistan are expected to remain slow until early October due to repairs on a damaged submarine cable, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The PTA has identified faults in two submarine cables, with repairs for SMW-4 expected to be completed by early October.

Current Impact on Internet Speed

Over the past few weeks, users have experienced significant declines in internet speeds, including issues with media uploads and downloads, WhatsApp voice notes, and slow browsing even on broadband connections. The PTA has clarified that these problems are due to cable faults rather than government-imposed internet throttling.

Government and ISP Reactions

There have been allegations from the business community and internet service providers (ISPs) that the government’s internet monitoring efforts, including a potential firewall, are causing the slowdown. However, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja has denied these claims, stating that the government is only upgrading its web management system for improved cybersecurity.

Details on Cable Repairs

The PTA has attributed the slowdown to faults in the SMW-4 and AAE-1 submarine cables. Repairs for the AAE-1 cable have been completed, but the SMW-4 cable repair is anticipated to be finished by early October. PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman had previously projected the repair date as August 27.

Expert Opinions and Additional Factors

Internet expert Doug Madory supports the PTA’s claim about the cable faults but suggests that if internet issues began recently, other factors might be involved. The PTA has also cited ISP misconfigurations, possible cyber-attacks, and increased VPN usage as additional contributors to the slowdown.

Economic Consequences

The Telecom Operators Association warns that the prolonged internet slowdown could cost Pakistan up to Rs12 billion annually. The telecom sector’s reduced revenue could exceed Rs3 billion per year. Concerns are also growing among multinational companies about relocating their operations due to unreliable internet services. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) estimates a potential economic loss of up to $300 million.

Call for Transparency

Amnesty International has called on Pakistani authorities to provide greater transparency regarding the nationwide internet slowdown and the use of monitoring and surveillance technologies.