The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday said the prevailing disruption to internet services in Pakistan will likely persist until “early October,” when damaged submarine cables responsible for the slowdown are repaired.
The country’s internet services had witnessed a significant decline since mid-August, with users complaining of an inability to use social media platforms or even access websites. The problem is most pronounced on mobile networks, but broadband users have also reported significant disruptions. This has triggered major economic losses, as freelancers in the I.T. sector have lamented an inability to deliver their work on time.
According to the Telecom Operators Association, the disruptions could cost Pakistan almost Rs. 12 billion annually, adding this would result in reduced revenue to the telecommunication sector in excess of Rs. 3 billion annually.
Earlier, experts had claimed the slowdown was caused by the implementation of a “national firewall” aimed at preventing the propagation of anti-state content. However, last week, the PTA announced the disruptions were due to a damaged submarine cable, and maintained there was no firewall.
In a statement, the PTA reiterated that the slowdown was caused by two damaged submarine cables, adding one had been repaired while another was still pending. “The ongoing internet slowdown across the country is mainly due to fault in two (SMW4, AAE-1) of the seven international submarine cables connecting Pakistan internationally,” it said, adding SMW-4 would likely be repaired by early October.
“Submarine cable AAE-1 has been repaired which may improve internet experience,” it added.