Islamabad, Oct 2: Internet Slowdown in Pakistan Confirmed by PTA Chairman.
During an informal meeting with journalists, Major General (Retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman, the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), discussed key matters concerning internet and telecommunications issues in Pakistan.
Internet Speed and System Upgrades
Rehman addressed concerns about slow internet speeds, assuring that the issues would be resolved by the end of October. PTA is currently enhancing its Web Management System (commonly referred to as the internet firewall) to increase data capacity from 5 to 8 terabytes, with the upgrade expected to be completed within the month.
Internet Shutdowns and Security Concerns
Rehman noted that Pakistan had experienced only seven internet slowdown 2023, in comparison to India’s 116.
While not advocating for these shutdowns, he stressed that national security is a top priority. He mentioned that recent mobile service suspensions, such as those during the 10th of Muharram, were more limited in time and scope.
He also pointed out that other countries, such as Bangladesh, have similar shutdowns during elections for security reasons.
Spectrum and Infrastructure Challenges
Rehman explained that Pakistan’s spectrum is currently congested, as it serves a population of 242 million with a capacity of just 274 MHz.
He compared this to India, which invested significantly in fiber-optic infrastructure, laying 3.5 million kilometers of cable over five years. He expressed optimism that 5G deployment and improvements to the national infrastructure would help address these limitations.
Social Media Compliance Issues
Regarding the government’s decision to block X (formerly Twitter), Rehman stated that the platform has a compliance rate of only 27%, which is much lower than other social media platforms, which have a 93% compliance rate.
He said the matter is being reviewed by the Sindh High Court, and social media platforms have been encouraged to implement AI to block illegal content more effectively.
Telecommunications Quality and Future Initiatives
Rehman admitted that GSM services are currently of poor quality, partly due to spectrum shortages. However, he emphasized that the upcoming 5G auction, scheduled for April 2025, would help address call drop issues and improve 4G service quality.
Other Issues
Rehman also mentioned that the PTA had opposed the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) directive to block SIM cards and had refused a request to suspend mobile services during the MD-CAT exams.
