Nationwide Internet Disruptions Expected
Internet users across Pakistan are preparing for a period of slow connectivity as Transworld Associates (TWA) starts critical maintenance on its submarine cables. The maintenance, beginning Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 PM (PST) and continuing until Monday, April 13 at 5:00 AM (PST), is expected to last nearly 82 hours.
During this time, users may experience sluggish browsing speeds, higher latency, and intermittent service disruptions, particularly during peak hours. The slowdown will affect both residential users and corporate clients who rely on international bandwidth provided by TWA.
Transworld issued a notification stating that the maintenance is being conducted in coordination with international partners to ensure safe and efficient upgrades. The activity is part of routine upkeep of Pakistan’s international internet infrastructure.
Key Infrastructure and Impact on ISPs
Transworld is a critical backbone provider in Pakistan, supporting a large network of secondary Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and businesses. As a senior telecommunications analyst explained, “Pakistan’s internet backbone effectively runs through just two major gateways: PTCL and Transworld. When one undergoes significant maintenance, the other cannot always absorb the shifted traffic without congestion.”
Some of the major assets involved in the maintenance include:
- TW1: Pakistan’s only privately owned submarine fiber optic cable, operated by Transworld.
- SMW-5: A critical international cable for which Transworld is the landing party.
- SEA-ME-WE 6 & 2Africa: High-capacity cables in which Transworld holds consortium membership, providing upstream bandwidth to many ISPs.
Major ISPs that rely on Transworld for international connectivity, including Nayatel, have started notifying their customers about potential disruptions. Nayatel’s users in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad are expected to experience slower speeds during the maintenance window.
Peering Congestion Likely Despite PTCL Stability
Industry experts warn that even services not directly connected to Transworld may feel the impact. Reduced international bandwidth capacity is expected to cause peering congestion, slowing connections nationwide. While PTCL-based services may remain more stable, the overall internet experience could still be degraded.
A similar maintenance event scheduled in January 2026 had been postponed, but this time the work is moving forward as planned. Analysts advise users and businesses to anticipate potential slowdowns and plan critical online activities accordingly.
With Transworld’s infrastructure forming a central part of Pakistan’s internet backbone, the current maintenance highlights the vulnerability of the country’s digital connectivity and the importance of resilient network planning.
