A total of 26.5 terabits per second (Tbps) of planned international connectivity is underway to enhance Pakistan’s internet infrastructure, according to a written reply submitted by Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, in the National Assembly.
The connectivity is being facilitated through five international submarine cables: AFRICA 1 operated by PTCL with a planned capacity of 6.5 Tbps, SMW6 by Transworld Associates (TWA) with 6 Tbps, 2AFRICA by TWA with 10 Tbps, PEACE by LINKdotNET with 2 Tbps, and Makran Gulf Gateway (MGG-1) by Cybernet with 2 Tbps.
A permit in principle (PIP) has been issued for all cables, with the 2AFRICA cable having already reached Pakistan while the rest remain in the planning phase.
According to Minister of State Shaza Fatima, the government is focusing on expanding satellite-based connectivity to improve internet access. Direct-to-consumer satellite services were previously unavailable in Pakistan, with satellite networks primarily providing bandwidth services. In January 2024, the National Space Policy was introduced, followed by the Pakistan Space Activities Rules in February 2024, to facilitate the expansion of satellite services.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has initiated consultations with industry stakeholders and the government on Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) licensing, which will allow the provision of satellite internet to underserved and unserved areas.
The minister further states that PTA has drafted a Single License framework for FSS, which aims to regulate direct-to-consumer satellite internet services. The draft license is currently under stakeholder consultation and is expected to enable future satellite-based operations without affecting existing wireless internet (WI) and local loop (LL) license holders. The regulatory framework is designed to encourage investment in satellite technology and expand connectivity in remote regions.
Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) is responsible for registering all local and foreign satellite service providers under the Pakistan Space Activities Rules-2024. The application of Starlink, the satellite-based internet provider, is currently under review by PSARB for technical evaluation.
The license will be granted by PTA once Starlink completes its registration with PSARB and receives clearance from the Ministry of Interior. The timeline for operational approval remains uncertain as the regulatory process continues.
ALSO READ
FBR Issues Illegal Notices to Hundreds of Salaried Individuals
Network security measures are also being addressed as part of the government’s efforts to improve internet performance. The excessive use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is diverting traffic from Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to mainstream internet, affecting speed and efficiency. Additional VPN registrations are being processed to optimize routing and improve Quality of Service (QoS). Furthermore, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have been identified as a cause of network slowdowns, and operators are implementing measures to mitigate their impact.
Reference Link:- https://propakistani.pk/2025/02/14/pakistan-plans-26-5-tb-per-second-cable-connectivity-to-boost-its-internet/