KARACHI: A cutting-edge undersea internet cable, currently being installed, is expected to increase speed and reliability in Pakistan, carrying as much as 24 terabytes of bandwidth, Geo News reported.
A French firm is laying the cable which is over 45,000 kilometers long.
At present, Pakistan relies on approximately 8 terabytes of bandwidth provided by seven existing cables. The new system, connecting the African region to Pakistan, aims to improve connectivity and address long-standing complaints of slow internet speeds.
The enhanced bandwidth will also improve the performance of platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
“Temporarily, for a few weeks, we faced limited internet issues in certain areas, but these have now largely been resolved,” P@SHA Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed said while speaking on Geo News‘ programme “Geo Pakistan”.
He explained that while the new cable is not yet active, it is expected to be operational next year.
Syed also highlighted that four additional major internet lines, including support for 5G, are in the pipeline and will permanently resolve connectivity issues.
“Infrastructure requires support in every are, we need 5G because of bandwidth congestion, and we also need fibre connectivity for our mobile towers. Moreover, linkages with international cables and internet networks are essential,” the P@SHA chairman said.
“Work is ongoing on all these fronts. The announcement for 5G has been made, fibre connectivity will follow, and with the four additional cables expected next year, our capacity will nearly double. This will ensure that our internet connectivity and infrastructure are adequately set up for the next two to five years,” he concluded.
At a convocation in Jamshoro on Monday, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also called for robust legislation to ensure equitable and uninterrupted internet access.
Discussing the importance of the internet in today’s era, the PPP chairman said that fiber-optic cables and robust internet infrastructure are the future for both current and upcoming generations. He asserted that affordable and uninterrupted internet access is a fundamental right in the modern world.
Criticising internet censorship, Bilawal noted: “Senior officials in Islamabad often make uninformed decisions about blocking or slowing down internet services, disproportionately affecting the youth. We must fight for our digital rights as part of our democratic rights.”
Bilawal vowed to introduce a Digital Rights Bill in Parliament, aiming to secure affordable and unrestricted access.
“I will present a Digital Bill written by us, for us, in the National Assembly as your representative. Share your suggestions with me on Instagram, Facebook, and X,” he said.
