PTA: Internet to remain slow till October
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday stated that the internet would probably remain slow until “October” as the submarine cable that is causing disruptions is likely to be fixed by then.
Recently, in Pakistan, there has been a significant decline in internet speed. This caused slow surfing on broadband connections and difficulties for users to send or receive media and voice notes on WhatsApp while using mobile data.
The business community and internet service providers (ISPs) however claimed that the government is installing a so-called “firewall” in an attempt to control internet traffic which as a result has caused severe economic damages.
Information and technology minister, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, had previously claimed that the government is “throttling” internet speeds as it is updating its “web management system” to handle cybersecurity concerns.
However, PTA rejected the claim and toned-down concerns about the installation of a firewall, blaming the internet connectivity problems on a faulty submarine cable.
In a statement released today, the PTA explained that two of the seven underwater cables; SMW4 and AAE-1 that connect Pakistan internationally are malfunctioning. It said AAE-1 has been fixed which might enhance connection and SMW4 is to be repaired by October.
A week prior, during a session in National Assembly, PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman, had promised that internet cable would be repaired by August 27.
