Pakistan is set to experience a substantial enhancement in its internet infrastructure with the integration of a new undersea cable. The government claims the new 45,000km-long cable will not only increase the country’s internet capacity, but also improve overall connectivity.
Reportedly, the new cable boasts a capacity of 180 terabits per second. It is part of the 2Africa Pearls project, which aims to connect multiple countries across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, including Pakistan.
By linking Pakistan directly to various regions, the cable is anticipated to provide faster and more reliable internet services, benefiting both individual users and businesses. This enhancement, claim government officials, would particularly improve the performance of social media applications and other online services.
Once the cable becomes operational next year, it would increase bandwidth, alleviating current internet speed issues. This should address concerns of users and lawmakers about subpar connectivity, which have only mounted in recent months. Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja recently acknowledged that Pakistan’s internet speed does not meet the required standards, highlighting the necessity for advancements to overcome the deficiency.
The enhanced internet capacity is expected to support the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy, facilitate remote work, bolster online education, and improve access to digital services across the country.
Despite recent improvements claimed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the country has faced challenges with internet speeds. A report by the World Population Review ranked Pakistan 198th globally in internet speed, with average mobile download speeds of 19.59 Mbps and broadband speeds of 15.52 Mbps. The new undersea cable aims to address these shortcomings by providing a more robust and efficient internet infrastructure.
The integration of this high-capacity undersea cable marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to enhance its digital infrastructure. By increasing internet capacity and improving connectivity, the country is set to experience a transformative impact on its digital landscape, fostering economic growth and improving the quality of digital services available to its citizens.