A planned enhancement of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure is set to achieve 26.5 terabits per second (Tbps) in international connectivity. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, provided this information in a written response during a session of the National Assembly.
The connectivity is supported by five international submarine cables: AFRICA 1, managed by PTCL, which has a projected capacity of 6.5 Tbps; SMW6, operated by Transworld Associates (TWA) with a capacity of 6 Tbps; 2AFRICA, also by TWA, boasting a capacity of 10 Tbps; PEACE, provided by LINKdotNET with a capacity of 2 Tbps; and the Makran Gulf Gateway (MGG-1), managed by Cybernet, which also has a capacity of 2 Tbps.
A permit in principle (PIP) has been granted for all cables, with the 2AFRICA cable having successfully arrived in Pakistan, while the remaining cables are still in the planning phase.
The Minister of State, Shaza Fatima, has indicated that the government is prioritizing the enhancement of satellite-based connectivity to improve internet accessibility. Previously, direct-to-consumer satellite services were not available in Pakistan, as satellite networks mainly offered bandwidth services. To support the growth of satellite services, the National Space Policy was established in January 2024, followed by the introduction of the Pakistan Space Activities Rules in February 2024.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has commenced discussions with industry stakeholders and the government regarding the licensing of Fixed Satellite Services (FSS), which will facilitate the delivery of satellite internet to areas that are underserved or unserved.
Additionally, the minister noted that the PTA has developed a Single License framework for FSS, intended to regulate direct-to-consumer satellite internet services. This draft license is currently undergoing stakeholder consultation and is anticipated to enable future satellite operations without disrupting the existing wireless internet (WI) and local loop (LL) license holders. The regulatory framework aims to promote investment in satellite technology and enhance connectivity in remote areas.
The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) oversees the registration of both domestic and international satellite service providers following the Pakistan Space Activities Rules 2024. Currently, PSARB is conducting a technical evaluation of the application submitted by Starlink, a provider of satellite-based internet services.
Once Starlink finalizes its registration with PSARB and obtains the necessary clearance from the Ministry of Interior, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will issue the license. The timeline for receiving operational approval is still unclear as the regulatory process is ongoing.
Network security initiatives are being incorporated into the government’s strategy to enhance internet performance. The widespread utilization of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is redirecting traffic from Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to the general Internet, which is impacting both speed and efficiency. To optimize routing and enhance Quality of Service (QoS), additional VPN registrations are currently being processed. Moreover, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have been recognized as a contributing factor to network slowdowns, prompting operators to adopt measures aimed at reducing their effects.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.