Internet users in Pakistan are facing slow speeds as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced that repairs to a faulty submarine cable may not be completed until early October, affecting internet services nationwide.
The slowdown has impacted users’ ability to send and download media through platforms like WhatsApp, both on mobile data and broadband connections. While the government denied intentionally slowing down the internet, the PTA attributed the issue to submarine cable faults.
An internet expert confirmed the cable damage but suggested additional factors may be contributing to the slowdown. The PTA cited reasons including cable damage, system misconfigurations, cyber-attacks, and increased VPN usage. The government has also expressed concerns over VPN use and plans to regulate them.
The economic impact of slow internet has raised alarms, with estimates suggesting annual losses of billions of rupees. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) warned of potential losses up to $300 million due to disruptions from a national firewall.
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