Internet Disruption in Pakistan: What You Need to Know
Recently, Pakistan has faced significant internet disruptions due to damaged undersea cables, with IT Secretary Dr. Zarar Hashim announcing that full restoration might take four to five weeks. This situation isn’t just affecting Pakistan; multiple countries, including India, are experiencing degraded internet connectivity, largely due to a series of submarine cable outages in the Red Sea, as monitored by NetBlocks.
During a recent meeting of the Standing Committee on IT and Telecom at the Islamabad IT Park, concerns were raised about the ongoing internet slowness. Committee member Sadiq Memon questioned why the country is still facing issues if three new cables are supposedly on their way. Dr. Hashim explained that several cables—potentially four to five—have been damaged off the coast of Yemen, severely impacting regional connectivity. The ongoing conflict in Yemen has further complicated repair efforts, making timely fixes challenging.
Damage to submarine cables is far from rare. The International Cable Protection Committee reports an average of 150 to 200 outages worldwide each year, which translates to about three incidents a week. Most of these damages are attributed to fishing, anchoring, and, unfortunately, natural hazards like aging and equipment failures.
With around 1.4 million kilometers (that’s nearly 900,000 miles) of fiber optic cables crisscrossing the ocean floor, these undersea cables play a crucial role in our daily lives, supporting everything from online shopping to digital health services. While traditional telecom operators used to dominate the underwater cable landscape, internet giants have increasingly taken the lead in recent years, striving to meet the demands of our ever-growing data needs.
So, what does all this mean for you? If slow internet has been your recent experience, it’s likely a result of this wider regional issue rather than your service provider’s fault. As we wait for the situation to improve, staying updated on developments can help you better navigate these inconveniences.
As always, staying connected is important. If you’re interested in discussing more about internet services or seeking solutions, feel free to connect with us at Pro21st. We’re here to help you stay informed and empowered in today’s digital landscape.
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