Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) confirmed that repair work is being carried out on one of its submarine cables in coordination with the International Cable Consortium.
The maintenance aims to repair a fault in the undersea communication system that handles a large portion of Pakistan’s international internet traffic.
Slow Speeds Expected During Peak Hours
According to PTCL, internet performance may be affected throughout the maintenance period, particularly during evening hours when network traffic is highest.
Users may experience:
- Slower browsing speeds
- Streaming interruptions
- Lag during online gaming
- Connectivity issues in video calls and cloud services
The company warned that some service degradation is unavoidable during the repair operation.
Why Submarine Cables Matter
Pakistan relies heavily on international submarine cable systems for global internet connectivity.
These cables carry most of the country’s international traffic and connect Pakistan to global data networks through systems such as:
- SEA-ME-WE 4
- SEA-ME-WE 5
- IMEWE
- AAE-1
- PEACE cable
Any disruption or maintenance activity on these cables can impact internet performance nationwide.
Not a Complete Internet Shutdown
Officials and telecom providers have clarified that this is not a nationwide internet shutdown.
Instead, users should expect intermittent slowdowns and temporary instability rather than a total loss of connectivity. Similar maintenance-related disruptions have occurred in previous years as well.
Digital Users Likely to Be Most Affected
The slowdown could significantly affect:
- Freelancers and remote workers
- Online businesses
- Students attending virtual classes
- Gamers and streamers
Pakistan’s growing digital economy has become increasingly dependent on stable high-speed internet connectivity.
Authorities Ask Users to Stay Prepared
Telecom operators have advised users to:
- Avoid heavy downloads during peak hours
- Schedule important meetings during off-peak times
- Keep backup internet options if possible
PTCL has apologized for the inconvenience and stated that the maintenance work is necessary to improve long-term service reliability.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s expected week-long internet slowdown highlights the country’s dependence on international submarine cable infrastructure. While the disruption may temporarily affect users nationwide, authorities say the repair work is essential for improving network stability and future internet performance.