Internet slowdowns expected across Pakistan

Millions of internet users in Pakistan could face slow connectivity or brief outages today as the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) begins critical repairs on a section of the country’s undersea communication network, ARY News reported.

According to a PTCL spokesperson, the international cable consortium has scheduled maintenance work to repair a faulty repeater installed in the submarine cable system. The repair process is set to begin at 11:00 AM on October 14, 2025, and may take up to 18 hours to complete.

Dear Customers,

A maintenance activity is planned on one of our Submarine cables to repair a faulty repeater. The activity will start on October 14, 2025 around 11AM PST which can last for upto 18 hours. Customers will face service degradation. We regret the inconvenience please

— PTCL (@PTCLOfficial) October 13, 2025

During this period, users may experience slower browsing speeds, interrupted streaming, or temporary service disruptions, the spokesperson said, adding that PTCL engineers are coordinating with global partners to minimize downtime.

The company apologized for the inconvenience, assuring customers that the maintenance is essential to ensure long-term network stability and performance.

With internet access forming the backbone of Pakistan’s digital economy — from e-commerce and remote work to education and fintech services — experts warn that even short interruptions could ripple across sectors nationwide.

PTCL has advised users to plan their online activities accordingly while the maintenance work is underway.

Also Read: PTA launches satellite license to expand internet access

Earlier, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced a preliminary tentative plan for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) licensing, highlighting a major milestone in the country’s digital infrastructure strategy.

The initiative is likely to attract satellite internet providers across the globe, including Starlink and Shanghai Spacecom, and provide high-speed internet access in remote and low-privileged areas.

PTA, in their official announcement, mentioned that the draft license will allow companies to create and operate satellite systems, including fixed earth stations, gateway stations, and Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs).

Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) licenses will be authorised to offer broadband, backhaul, and internet bandwidth services directly to consumers.

The license has a one-time fee of $500,000, which will be valid for 15 years. Operators must begin services within 18 months of approval and are urged to set up at least one gateway earth station within Pakistan.