PTCL Warns of 18-Hour Internet Slowdown in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has warned users across the country of a possible 18-hour internet slowdown due to scheduled maintenance work on the undersea communication cable network beginning Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
According to PTCL, the international cable consortium responsible for maintaining Pakistan’s global internet connectivity will carry out repair work on a faulty repeater starting at 11 a.m. today. The maintenance operation is expected to last around 18 hours, potentially affecting users nationwide.
During this period, internet browsing speeds may slow down, while users could also experience intermittent disruptions in video streaming, online meetings, and digital transactions.
A PTCL spokesperson stated that the company’s engineering teams are coordinating with international partners to minimize service disruption. “The maintenance is essential to ensure long-term stability and improve performance across Pakistan’s internet backbone,” the spokesperson added.
Industry experts have warned that even short-term outages can have a significant impact on Pakistan’s digital economy, which relies heavily on stable connectivity for e-commerce, remote work, online education, and fintech operations.
PTCL has urged users to plan their online activities accordingly during the maintenance window.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced new measures to expand internet access across the country. The telecom regulator is set to issue licenses for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS), aiming to attract global firms such as Starlink and Shanghai SpaceCom to offer satellite-based internet connectivity in remote and underserved regions.
According to PTA officials, each satellite service license will be valid for 15 years and require a $500,000 fee, with service rollout expected within 18 months of approval. The move is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and reduce dependency on undersea cables.
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