Telecom operators in Pakistan have flagged disruptions in social media services and web browsing during internet slowdowns, according to feedback submitted to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
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The PTA initiated an investigation into concerns over the deteriorating quality of internet services across the country. Findings from this inquiry were shared with the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, with telecom operators providing detailed insights into network performance issues.
Cellular Network Issues: Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) reported varied disruptions:
- Jazz and Telenor identified blocking issues on platform X (formerly Twitter) but noted no anomalies in web browsing or general data services.
- Zong observed a significant decline in data traffic across major applications, with TikTok experiencing a notable 16% reduction.
- Ufone reported intermittent degradation in the performance of leading over-the-top (OTT) platforms but found no issues in general web browsing.
Fixed-Line Challenges: Fixed-line operators also highlighted service disruptions:
- PTCL and Cybernet reported intermittent issues affecting social media services such as TikTok, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. PTCL, however, found web browsing unaffected, while Cybernet noted interruptions in both web browsing and social media.
- Nayatel stated its services remained unaffected, with no disruptions reported.
- TWA acknowledged issues with video streaming, online calls, and slow browsing speeds. The operator admitted its bandwidth capacity requires expansion to meet growing demand.
Root Causes and PTA’s Observations: The PTA identified several contributing factors, including the increasing use of VPNs bypassing content delivery networks (CDNs), which strains Pakistan’s submarine cable capacity of 9.5 Gbps. However, the disruptions were attributed to routine data throughput and usage trends rather than specific anomalies.
The PTA has urged systemic enhancements to address these challenges and ensure reliable internet services nationwide. Its findings have been formally communicated to the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, emphasizing the need for infrastructural improvements to meet growing connectivity demands.
