Fault in submarine cable slows internet speed across the country.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Thursday that it had discovered a fault in the SMW4 international submarine cable, which is operated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) in the Indian Ocean, which can also result in some internet users experiencing slower speeds during peak hours.
Alternative steps, including increased ad hoc bandwidth in the system, have been adopted on a priority basis to provide uninterrupted internet services to subscribers, according to a statement from the telecommunication authority.
It went on to say that work is underway to fully restore internet services as soon as possible.
“The PTA is keeping an eye on the situation and will keep you updated,” it said.
The South East Asia-Middle East-West Europe 4 (SEA-ME-WE 4, SMW4) undersea cable connects Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria, and France across a distance of roughly 18,800 kilometres.
According to Wikipedia, it serves as the principal Internet backbone connecting Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and Europe.
A breakdown in one of the international underwater cables near Karachi hindered internet speeds across Pakistan in December.
However, relevant service providers made alternate arrangements to provide uninterrupted internet services to users by procuring additional bandwidth and capacity to satisfy the requirements.
