ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Friday that internet services have been restored nationwide after the successful repair of the SMW4 underwater cable defect.
The PTA stated that services were reinstated after an outage lasting approximately four months, caused by defects in two underwater cables: SMW4 (in June) and AAE1 (in August).
The restoration eliminated a shortfall of 1,750 Gbps. This comes after the addition of the Pace cable in 2023, which enhanced overall capacity.
Further expansions are planned, with three new cables set to join the system within the next two years: two from Transworld International and one from PTCL.
Pakistan has been experiencing slow internet speeds for months, leading to numerous social media outages that have frustrated users.
Also Read: Here’s how much internet shutdowns cost Pakistan’s economy in 2023
The country’s internet speeds lag significantly behind international standards, threatening to hinder its participation in the global digital economy.
Since February, access to X has been restricted. Recently, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat have also become accessible only via VPNs.
Essential functions, such as downloading files and sending voice notes, face disruptions, highlighting a concerning regression in digital connectivity.
