Internet users across Pakistan may experience slower connection speeds during peak hours until November 2, 2026, as emergency maintenance work continues on an international submarine cable. Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has warned customers that the work could temporarily affect internet performance.
According to the company, repair work has started on the Italy-France section of the Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1) submarine cable. The maintenance may reduce service quality during busy periods, when internet traffic is higher than usual.
PTCL has asked customers to remain patient and cooperate while the repair work is underway. The company has indicated that the impact may be temporary, although the experience could differ depending on network conditions and the online services being used.
Why Could Internet Speeds Slow Down in Pakistan?
The AAE-1 submarine cable is an important part of Pakistan’s international internet connectivity. It stretches approximately 25,000 kilometres and connects countries in Southeast Asia with Europe through Egypt. The cable system also has a landing point in Karachi.
International submarine cables carry large amounts of internet data between countries and regions. They support access to websites, online platforms, cloud services, video streaming and other digital services.
When maintenance or a fault affects one section of a cable, internet service providers may need to manage traffic through available network routes. Depending on the available capacity and overall demand, this can contribute to slower connections or delays for some users.
In the current case, the repair work is taking place on the European section of the AAE-1 cable. As a result, users may notice slower access to websites and online services hosted in European countries.
Evening Peak Hours Could See More Impact
The effect of the maintenance may be more noticeable during evening peak hours, when many people use the internet for work, education, entertainment and communication.
Users could experience slower website loading, delays when accessing certain online platforms or reduced performance while streaming videos. However, these effects are not guaranteed for every customer.
The actual impact will depend on several factors, including network traffic, the route used to reach a particular service and the capacity available through alternative connections.
Some users may notice little or no difference, while others could experience temporary performance issues. The announcement does not indicate that internet services across Pakistan will be completely suspended.
When Is the Maintenance Expected to End?
The maintenance work is expected to continue until November 2, 2026. PTCL has warned that customers may experience a slight decline in service quality during this period.
Users who experience slow speeds can try restarting their routers, checking their Wi-Fi connection and testing their internet service at different times of the day. If the problem continues after the announced maintenance period, they can contact their internet service provider for assistance.
Previous Concerns Over Submarine Cable Issues
This is not the first time maintenance or a fault involving the AAE-1 submarine cable has raised concerns among internet users in Pakistan. The country’s international connectivity depends on submarine cable systems that carry data between Pakistan and the rest of the world.
Maintenance is necessary to keep these systems operating reliably. However, work on major international routes can affect internet performance when traffic needs to be managed around the affected section.
For now, users should be prepared for possible slowdowns during busy hours until November 2. The level of disruption may vary, and customers should follow updates from their internet service providers for the latest information.
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