Submarine Cable Fault
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Thursday that internet users across the country might experience disruptions due to a fault in the submarine cable AAE-1 near Qatar. This cable is one of the seven undersea cables that facilitate Pakistan’s international internet traffic.
In a statement, the PTA assured the public that repair efforts are underway, and the authority is actively monitoring the situation to provide timely updates.
However, the incident has sparked renewed frustration among internet users in Pakistan, who have been dealing with frequent connectivity issues, including slow speeds and disruptions over recent months.
These issues have been compounded by restrictions on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), causing further inconvenience for users.
The recurring internet problems have had significant economic repercussions, particularly for the country’s IT industry. During a session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, lawmakers discussed the issue extensively.
They highlighted the financial losses incurred by freelancers and businesses reliant on stable internet connections. Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima disclosed that the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) had reported an $8 billion loss to the IT sector due to internet closures. This stands in stark contrast to the government’s ambitious target of achieving $15 billion in IT exports.
Opposition Leader Omar Ayub strongly criticized the potential restrictions on virtual private networks (VPNs) and called for a sub-committee to investigate internet-related issues.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emphasized the need for detailed briefings from relevant stakeholders, including the interior ministry and P@SHA.
To address Pakistan’s longstanding connectivity challenges, a new undersea cable, part of the 2Africa Submarine Cable System, is being installed. This system, spanning 45,000 kilometers and powered by cutting-edge SDM1 technology, is expected to significantly enhance internet speed and reliability.
Facilitated by Transworld Associates and supported by global partners such as Meta and Vodafone, the project aims to provide 24 terabytes of bandwidth once operational by late 2025.
The first phase of the project, involving cable landing at Hawksbay in Karachi, began in December 2024. The deep-sea installation phase is scheduled for April 2025.
This new system is poised to revolutionize internet connectivity in Pakistan, addressing persistent speed and reliability issues while enabling smoother use of platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
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