The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned that the current internet slowdown is likely to continue until early October, prolonging the disruption that has already sparked l frustration across the country. The slowdown is primarily due to faults in two of the seven international submarine cables that connect Pakistan to the global internet, significantly degrading service quality.
Internet Slowdown Likely to Continue Amidst Submarine Cable Repairs
According to the PTA, the ongoing internet disruption is a result of faults in the SMW-4 and AAE-1 submarine cables. While the AAE-1 cable has already been repaired, restoring partial service, the SMW-4 cable’s repair is expected to be completed by early October 2024. As a result, internet slowdown is likely to continue in many parts of the country, causing ongoing inconvenience for businesses and individuals who rely heavily on stable connectivity.
Concerns Over Economic Impact
The internet disruption has not only frustrated users but has also led to rising economic concerns. IT professionals, freelancers, and digital businesses have reported substantial losses, with estimates suggesting a $300 million hit to the economy. The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing speculation that the government is testing an internet firewall to control social media content.
However, the PTA has downplayed these claims, attributing the slowdown solely to the submarine cable faults. Despite these reassurances, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology has urged the government to address the issue swiftly and provide clear estimates of the losses incurred by the IT sector.
Read more: PTA Chairman Attributes Pakistan’s Internet Disruptions to Submarine Cable Fault, Not Firewall
