Pakistan to Face Internet Slowdown for a Week Due to Submarine Cable Repair
Internet users across Pakistan may experience slower speeds and connectivity issues over the next several days.
PTCL has announced that a scheduled maintenance activity on one of its submarine internet cables will begin on May 11 and continue until May 18, potentially affecting internet performance nationwide.
The slowdown is expected to be more noticeable during evening hours when internet traffic is at its peak.
What’s Causing the Slowdown
The issue is linked to repair work on an undersea communication cable used for international internet traffic.
According to PTCL, the maintenance is being carried out by an international cable consortium to fix a fault in the submarine cable system.
These cables are critical because most of Pakistan’s internet traffic travels through international submarine fiber routes connecting the country to the rest of the world.
What Users Can Expect
This is not expected to be a complete internet shutdown, but users may notice:
- Slower browsing speeds
- Lag during video calls and gaming
- Streaming interruptions
- Upload and download delays
The impact could vary depending on:
- Time of day
- ISP routing
- Network congestion levels
Evening hours are expected to be affected the most.
Why Pakistan Is Vulnerable to These Issues
Pakistan still relies heavily on submarine cables for international connectivity.
The country currently depends on a limited number of undersea cable systems for global internet access, which means even one fault or maintenance operation can significantly affect overall bandwidth availability.
Experts have repeatedly highlighted the need for:
- Better redundancy
- More cable routes
- Stronger digital infrastructure
especially as internet usage and remote work continue to grow.
Who Could Be Affected the Most
The slowdown could particularly impact:
- Freelancers
- Remote workers
- Online businesses
- Gamers and streamers
- Students attending online classes
Pakistan’s growing digital economy has become increasingly dependent on stable high-speed connectivity, making even temporary disruptions noticeable.
PTCL Says Repairs Are Necessary
PTCL says the maintenance work is essential to improve long-term service reliability and restore the integrity of the cable system.
The company has apologized for the inconvenience and advised users to expect temporary fluctuations during the repair window.
Bottom Line
The slowdown is temporary, but it highlights a bigger issue.
Pakistan’s internet infrastructure remains highly dependent on a small number of international submarine cables. Until more redundancy is added, similar disruptions are likely to continue whenever faults or repairs occur.
