This year, Pakistan experienced substantial internet disruptions owing to multiple submarine cable failures that resulted in a 1,750 Gbps shortfall in data capacity. According to documents reviewed by ProPakistani, these disruptions highlight the country’s reliance on a limited number of submarine cables for internet connectivity.
Major Cable Failures and Their Impact
The country experienced four submarine cable failures in 2024:
- February 2024: The SEAMEWE-5 cable was cut near Egypt, causing a brief disruption.
- June 17, 2024: A major fault in the SEAMEWE-4 cable near Karachi led to a 1,500 Gbps loss, creating significant internet service challenges nationwide.
- July 31, 2024: An error in PTCL’s route configuration further compounded the disruptions.
- August 17, 2024: The AAE-1 cable suffered a failure, resulting in a 250 Gbps shortfall.
These incidents have underscored Pakistan’s vulnerability to submarine cable faults, given its dependence on a few key undersea cables for international connectivity.
Pakistan’s Submarine Cables and Utilized Capacity
Pakistan’s internet is connected to the global network through seven submarine cables operated by PTCL, Transworld, and Cybernet, with a collective capacity of 10,146 Gbps. Here’s a breakdown of the capacity:
| Operator | Cable Name | Utilized Capacity (Gbps) |
|---|---|---|
| PTCL | SMW 3 | 10.8 |
| PTCL | SMW 4 | 1501 |
| PTCL | IMEWE | 1822 |
| PTCL | AAE-1 | 3122 |
| TWA | SMW 5 | 1680 |
| TWA | TW 1 | 1560 |
| CyberNet | PEACE | 440 |
| Total | 10,146 |
Frequency of Submarine Cable Faults
In the last four years, Pakistan has experienced nine submarine cable faults. Each disruption has caused considerable internet quality issues, and many faults required specialized repair ships, often resulting in prolonged outages. Major incidents included:
Major Submarine Cable Faults in Past 4 years
| Time | Submarine Cable/System | Type and Location of Fault | Impact | Resolution Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Aug 2024 | AAE-1 | Maintenance activity | Ongoing disruption in internet | By 27 Aug 2024 |
| (250 Gbps reduction) | services | |||
| 31 July 2024 | PTCL System | Error in route configuration | Few hours disruption | Resolved |
| 17 June 2024 | SEAMEWE-4 | Offshore near Karachi (undersea cable cut) | Ongoing disruption (1500 Gbps reduction) | By end September 2024 |
| February 2024 | SEAMEWE 5 | Egypt, land cable cut | Few hours disruption | Resolved |
| April 2023 | AAE-1 (250 Gbps reduction) | France, Land cable cut | Few hours | Resolved |
| November 2022 | SEAMEWE 5 | Egypt, land cable cut | Few hours | Resolved |
| February 2022 | TW-1 | 400 Km off Karachi | 3 months | Resolved |
| December 2021 | AAE-1 | UAE, land cut | Few hours | Resolved |
| February 2021 | TW-1 | Egypt, land cut | Few hours | Resolved |
ISP Quality and Regulatory Measures by PTA
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has increased efforts to maintain service quality across ISPs, issuing Quality of Service (QoS) regulations with higher availability and speed requirements. In July 2024, PTA issued notices to seven ISPs for failing to meet QoS standards, following an inspection. Notably, in Gwadar, a special survey resulted in a show-cause notice in February 2024 to a local ISP for failing to meet the required KPIs.
PTA’s Measures to Manage Cable Faults and ISP Performance
To address these cable issues, PTA has implemented several measures:
- SOPs for Fault Reporting: ISPs must notify PTA within two hours of any submarine cable fault. For major incidents, a public statement is released.
- Enhanced Complaint Management: PTA’s Complaint Management System (CMS) allows consumers to report service quality issues online or via a toll-free number.
- ISP System Upgrades: PTA has mandated that ISPs upgrade their systems to meet Fixed Line QoS Regulations 2022, aiming to minimize disruptions and improve service consistency.
Pakistan’s ongoing submarine cable disruptions reveal the challenges of relying on limited infrastructure for internet connectivity. With PTA’s increased oversight and updated SOPs, there’s hope for faster recovery from such incidents in the future. However, these events underscore the need for Pakistan to diversify its internet connectivity to reduce vulnerability.
FAQs
1. How many submarine cables does Pakistan rely on for internet connectivity?
Pakistan relies on seven submarine cables operated by PTCL, Transworld, and Cybernet, providing a total capacity of 10,146 Gbps.
2. What caused the major internet disruptions in Pakistan in 2024?
The disruptions were caused by four submarine cable faults, including issues with SEAMEWE-4 and AAE-1, resulting in a 1,750 Gbps shortfall in internet capacity.
3. How does PTA ensure that ISPs meet service quality standards?
PTA has implemented Quality of Service (QoS) regulations and conducts regular surveys to ensure ISPs meet set standards, issuing notices and mandating upgrades for non-compliance.
4. What are PTA’s SOPs for managing cable faults?
ISPs must report any submarine cable fault within two hours to PTA, and significant issues are followed by a public press release to inform users.
5. How can consumers report internet service issues?
Consumers can register complaints via PTA’s Complaint Management System (CMS), available through a toll-free number and online.
