Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has announced planned maintenance on the SMW4 submarine cable system, which could cause internet slowdowns and interruptions across Pakistan. The maintenance is set to occur from April 14 to April 20 and involves the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 cable, managed by an international consortium.
PTCL has cautioned users that internet speeds may decrease and service could be intermittently disrupted, especially during evening hours while the repair work is underway. This follows earlier repair efforts on a repeater within the submarine cable, which PTCL confirmed had been completed successfully.
Despite the restoration of operations on the affected cable segment, users in Karachi continue to report sluggish internet performance, particularly difficulties with uploading and downloading content on social media platforms.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced plans to issue licenses for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS), aiming to expand internet access nationwide. This initiative is designed to attract international providers such as Starlink and Shanghai SpaceCom to offer satellite-based internet, improving connectivity in remote and underserved areas.
Under the PTA’s framework, licensed operators will be permitted to establish ground-based gateway stations and Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs). Each license will be valid for 15 years, with a fee of USD 500,000, and operators must commence service rollout within 18 months of approval.
