Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is grappling with significant internet service disruptions due to a fault in the Asia-Africa-Europe-1 (AAE-1) submarine cable near Qatar. This issue has led to slow internet speeds nationwide, particularly affecting services like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram during peak hours.
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PTCL has acknowledged the problem but has not provided a specific timeline for full restoration. The company stated that additional bandwidth has been added to mitigate the slowdown, which has “majorly resolved” the issue. However, users may still experience reduced speeds on certain platforms. PTCL anticipates a complete resolution in the coming days and is working diligently with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to expedite repairs.
Technical experts suggest that repairs of this nature typically take two to three months, though PTCL has not confirmed this timeframe. The AAE-1 submarine cable is one of seven international undersea cables connecting Pakistan to global internet infrastructure. A fault in this cable can significantly impact internet services across the country.
In response to the disruptions, the PTA has been actively overseeing restoration efforts. The authority had previously warned users about potential service disruptions due to the cable fault and has since reassured the public that measures are being taken to maintain stable internet services during this period.
These internet issues have broader implications for Pakistan’s economy, particularly the IT sector. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has expressed concerns that such disruptions could lead to significant financial losses. The implementation of a national internet firewall, intended to monitor and regulate content, has also contributed to connectivity issues, potentially costing the economy up to $300 million.
As the situation develops, PTCL and PTA are expected to provide further updates. Users are advised to remain patient and consider alternative arrangements for critical online activities until services are fully restored.
