Renewed reports of a potential nationwide internet slowdown sparked concern this week among users and the business community, before internet service providers and regulators moved to clarify that no disruption was expected.
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The speculation began after Nayatel, a leading broadband service provider, informed its customers via email about a scheduled maintenance activity on one of Pakistan’s submarine cables on January 15 at around 2:00pm. The company initially cautioned that the maintenance could take up to eight hours and might result in internet slowness across the country.
The message quickly gained traction on social media, triggering fears of a repeat of previous slowdowns that had disrupted online work, digital payments, and communication services nationwide.
However, Nayatel later issued a follow-up clarification, stating that its upstream service provider had confirmed no slowdown was expected during the maintenance period and that internet services across Pakistan were likely to remain stable.
Soon after, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) also dismissed reports of any planned internet disruption. In a statement released late Tuesday, the regulator said claims circulating about internet outages on January 15 were inaccurate and lacked any factual basis.
“Internet services across Pakistan remain stable and fully operational,” the PTA said, adding that routine submarine cable maintenance was under way and would not impact connectivity. The authority further stated that it was continuously monitoring networks to ensure uninterrupted services.
Despite these reassurances, the episode once again underscored fragile public confidence in Pakistan’s internet infrastructure. The conflicting messages — first warning of possible disruption and later denying it — created uncertainty, particularly among freelancers, IT firms, digital entrepreneurs, and online businesses that rely heavily on stable internet connectivity.
Pakistan’s digital economy, which the government has repeatedly pledged to expand, remains highly sensitive to internet reliability. Experts note that even rumours of slowdowns can dent business confidence, disrupt remote work, and erode trust in digital platforms.
The incident has also reignited debate over Pakistan’s reliance on a limited number of submarine cables for international connectivity. While undersea cable maintenance is a routine global practice, analysts argue that such activities should be supported by robust redundancy mechanisms and clearer public communication to avoid confusion and public anxiety.
Industry observers stress the need for a transparent and comprehensive policy on internet resilience, including enhanced backup capacity, closer coordination with service providers, and well-defined communication protocols. They also urge policymakers to seriously consider satellite-based internet services as part of Pakistan’s long-term connectivity strategy.
As Pakistan pushes ahead with digitalization and seeks to scale its digital economy, experts say diversified, resilient, and reliable connectivity — including satellite internet — is critical to ensuring uninterrupted services and sustainable future growth.
