Fault Disrupts Internet in Pakistan: Work Underway to Fix
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed that efforts are underway to repair a fault in the undersea internet cable that has been causing disruptions across the country. The fault, located in the AAE-1 cable, has led to frequent slowdowns in internet connectivity, affecting users in Pakistan.
AAE-1 Cable
The Africa-Asia-Europe (AAE)-1 cable, operational since 2017, is a critical part of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure. It connects Pakistan with multiple countries, including Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, India, Egypt, and several others. However, a recent fault near Qatar in the cable is impacting internet services in Pakistan, one of the seven undersea cables connecting the country to international internet traffic.
Impact on Pakistan’s Internet Speeds
Pakistan has already been grappling with some of the slowest internet speeds globally. According to the latest Speedtest Global Index for October, Pakistan ranked 141st for fixed broadband speeds and 100th for mobile data speeds. These rankings highlight the country’s ongoing struggles with internet speed, compounded by recent disruptions caused by the faulty undersea cable.
Many users have reported sluggish internet speeds, difficulties in downloading media on platforms like WhatsApp, and interrupted connectivity. These issues have further worsened access to virtual private networks (VPNs), which many Pakistanis rely on to access restricted websites.
Government’s Role in Internet Monitoring
In addition to the undersea cable issues, the Pakistani government has acknowledged its role in monitoring internet traffic, particularly social media platforms, citing national security concerns. Despite the government’s efforts to control online content, the PTA is working on resolving the technical issues with the cable to restore normal internet speeds.
The PTA has assured users that the situation is being closely monitored, with updates to follow as repairs progress.
