Pakistan is poised to see a major improvement in its internet infrastructure with the installation of a new undersea cable linking the country to Africa. Part of the 2Africa Pearls project, the 45,000-kilometre cable is expected to boost internet speeds and reliability, addressing long-standing issues faced by users across the nation. The project is a significant step towards enhancing connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.
Once operational, the cable will offer a remarkable capacity of 180 terabits per second. This will double Pakistan’s digital bandwidth, alleviating issues with slow internet speeds that have impacted platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. With the country currently relying on only 8 terabytes of bandwidth from existing cables, the new installation will significantly enhance online experiences for millions of users, especially those dependent on social media apps.
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The undersea cable comes at a time when Pakistan has been grappling with frequent internet outages and slow speeds, particularly affecting the freelancing community. Increased use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass content restrictions has further strained the internet infrastructure, adding to users’ frustrations. However, with the additional bandwidth from the new cable, smoother connectivity and faster internet speeds are expected.
Alongside the new cable, Pakistan’s digital capacity will continue to grow, with plans to add four more major internet lines, including provisions for 5G services. As Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima, acknowledged, Pakistan’s internet speed still falls short of international standards, but the new developments are a step in the right direction. Meanwhile, political leaders like PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have emphasized the importance of securing digital rights for citizens, highlighting the need for a more robust and accessible digital infrastructure.
