ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has made a significant advancement in its digital infrastructure with the landing of the Africa-1 submarine cable at Sea View Beach, Karachi, according to Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (Wispap) Chairperson Shahzad Arshad.
Boosting Bandwidth and Connectivity
The milestone, achieved through a global telecom consortium, is expected to address Pakistan’s bandwidth limitations and enhance its standing in the international digital ecosystem.
“For the past eight months, Pakistan has struggled with increased internet latency and bandwidth shortages, impacting businesses, enterprises, and freelancers,” Arshad said in a statement on Sunday.
The Africa-1 cable system, spanning over 10,000 kilometers, is designed to alleviate these challenges by expanding bandwidth capacity and improving regional connectivity.
Global Consortium Behind Africa-1
The Africa-1 consortium includes major telecom players:
- Mobily (Saudi Arabia)
- e& (UAE)
- G42 (UAE)
- Telecom Egypt
- Zain Oman International (ZOI)
- Algerie Telecom
- TeleYemen
The cable system will link Pakistan to key markets such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, France, Kenya, and Djibouti, strengthening its integration with global networks.
Impact on Pakistan’s Digital Vision
Industry experts believe the cable’s landing will be a major boost to Pakistan’s Digital Vision, enhancing the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure and unlocking new opportunities for technological growth.
- Increased bandwidth will enhance business operations, foster innovation, and improve user experiences.
- Faster, more reliable internet will make Pakistan more competitive in the global digital economy.
Call for Greater Competition in International Gateways
Despite this progress, concerns remain over market concentration in Pakistan’s international gateway sector.
“Currently, only two or three dominant players control the international gateway market, creating a monopoly that restricts competition, keeps prices high, and limits service quality,” Arshad noted.
He urged the Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT) to encourage more international and local companies to enter the market and establish multiple gateways.
“A diversified international gateway ecosystem would reduce bandwidth costs and significantly improve service quality for end users,” he added.
Operational Timeline and Future Prospects
The Africa-1 submarine cable is expected to become fully operational by early 2026, enabling faster and more stable internet to drive digital transformation across industries such as e-commerce, fintech, education, and healthcare.
Additionally, the improved connectivity could attract foreign investment into Pakistan’s IT and telecom sectors, further stimulating economic growth.
