SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Pakistan Struggles with Persistent Slow Internet Despite Government Promises

Despite government assurances, Pakistan continues to face widespread slow internet and outages, with no resolution in sight. PTA now promises improvement by the end of October.
2024-10-08
Pakistan Struggles with Persistent Slow Internet Despite Government Promises

Slow internet speeds have become a daily frustration for millions of Pakistanis, despite repeated government assurances that the issue would be resolved by October. Users have been dealing with sluggish internet performance since February this year, and as of the first week of October, the situation remains unchanged.

 

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had previously blamed the slow internet on a fault in the country’s submarine cable system. In an official statement last month, the PTA assured the public that repairs would be completed by early October, promising a return to normal speeds. However, even as the second week of the month begins, many users report that internet services are either extremely slow or not functioning at all.

 

The issue has not been limited to fixed broadband services. Mobile data usage, a critical means of internet access for many Pakistanis, has also become a source of frustration. Users across the country complain of constant disruptions and painfully slow download speeds, severely affecting both personal and professional tasks.

 

A Longstanding Problem

 

This latest episode of slow internet is just one in a series of connectivity issues that have plagued the country over the past several months. The slowdown initially began in February, with users from various regions reporting degraded service. Despite multiple assurances from both telecom companies and the PTA, the problem has persisted, leaving many frustrated.

 

Adding to the public’s dissatisfaction, X (formerly known as Twitter) remains partially inaccessible in Pakistan. The shutdown of the popular social media platform has compounded the connectivity issues, as users struggle to access the platform even through alternative methods.

 

Many have taken to other social media platforms to voice their frustration. “It’s 2024, and we still can’t get reliable internet access,” one user tweeted. “How are we supposed to grow as a digital economy when we can’t even maintain basic connectivity?”

 

Promises and Delays

 

PTA sources have once again claimed that internet speed will improve by the end of October, stating that additional repairs are being carried out on the submarine cable. However, these repeated delays have done little to reassure the public, as earlier promises of swift action have not been fulfilled.

 

The courts, which had been approached to provide relief for the ongoing slowdown and internet shutdowns, have yet to deliver a resolution, leaving many wondering when the issue will finally be resolved.

 

As Pakistan continues to grow its digital economy and improve its technological infrastructure, reliable internet connectivity is critical for business operations, online education, and daily communication. The ongoing internet slowdown is not just an inconvenience; it threatens the country’s development in key sectors.

 

For now, users are left waiting once again, hoping that this latest promise of a solution by the end of October will be fulfilled and that stable internet will be restored across the country.