Pakistan’s Internet to Stay Slow Through Next Month

Pakistan’s Internet to Stay Slow Through Next Month

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that the country’s internet services will remain slow for another month until early October 2024, as repair work on critical submarine cables continues.

This extended period of reduced internet speeds is set to impact millions of users, including freelancers, businesses, and students who heavily rely on stable internet connectivity.

The Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing internet slowdown, which has severely disrupted the operations of the country’s growing freelance industry. PAFLA President and CEO, Tufail Ahmed Khan, voiced his frustration, stating that the past few weeks have been a nightmare for freelancers.

“Missed deadlines, lost clients, and dwindling revenue are becoming the norm,” Khan lamented, highlighting the economic consequences of the internet disruptions.

Khan emphasized the vital role of freelancers in Pakistan’s economy, noting that over 2.3 million freelancers contribute significantly to the nation’s foreign exchange reserves. He warned that the continued internet issues could tarnish Pakistan’s reputation as a leading global freelancing hub.

The association also shed light on the struggles faced by students and housewives who depend on freelancing for financial stability. “Many are struggling to make ends meet due to these internet issues,” Khan added.

The widespread internet slowdowns in Pakistan are primarily due to faults in two of its seven international submarine cables, SMW4 (SEA-ME-WE 4) and AAE-1 (Asia-Africa-Europe-1). These disruptions have caused significant connectivity challenges across the country, with the SMW4 cable being the major source of the slowdown.

The PTA has assured users that the SMW4 cable is expected to be fully repaired by early October 2024. This cable is part of a crucial network that connects Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe, and plays a pivotal role in maintaining Pakistan’s international connectivity.

Meanwhile, the AAE-1 cable, which was also affected, has already been repaired, leading to some improvement in internet speeds.

Despite this progress, full restoration of internet services in Pakistan depends on the successful completion of the SMW4 cable repairs. The ongoing slowdown has affected not only individual users but also businesses, e-commerce platforms, online education, and digital services, all of which rely heavily on stable internet connections.

The government and PTA have faced mounting pressure to resolve the issue swiftly. While the recent updates offer a timeline for restoration, the prolonged disruptions continue to cause significant inconvenience across the country.

However, with the expected repair completion by early October, users can anticipate a return to normalcy with stable and reliable internet services once again.