PTCL to link new internet cable today – Business

enhanced Connectivity: Pakistan’s New Undersea Cable to Boost Digital Infrastructure

In a significant stride towards bolstering Pakistan’s digital landscape, the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has announced the arrival of the Africa-1 Submarine Cable.This new fiber-optic cable, connecting the UAE, Europe, and Africa, will land at PTCL’s Karachi seaview station today, signifying a major milestone for Pakistan’s internet connectivity.

Approved in November 2020, the $59.5 million project is projected to become operational for end users in the first quarter of 2026. “The initiative is designed to enhance connectivity between the UAE, Europe, and Africa, featuring multiple landing stations along the route,” stated PTCL in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).

Building the Infrastructure for a Digital Future

While the landing of the cable marks a significant step, the actual implementation requires further development of essential internet infrastructure within Pakistan. This includes the installation of crucial equipment and the construction of supporting facilities. Sources indicate that approximately one year will be required to complete these installations, ensuring seamless integration of the cable into the existing network.

A Surge in Connectivity

The arrival of the Africa-1 cable comes shortly after the landing of another undersea cable, Africa-2, connected by Transworld Associates in December 2023. This recent flurry of investments highlights Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing its digital infrastructure and positioning itself for future growth in the digital economy.

Currently, six submarine cables wiht a combined capacity of 13 terabytes per second (tbps) service Pakistan. These include AAE-1, SMW-4, and IMEWE managed by PTCL, alongside SMW-5 and TWA-1 operated by Trans World Associates. Cyber internet Services operates the sixth cable, the Pakistan and East africa connecting Europe (PEACE) cable.

Call for Wholesale Price Reductions

IT experts recognize the significant impact these new cables have on Pakistan’s digital landscape. Wahajus Siraj, CEO and co-founder of Nayatel, an internet service provider, emphasized the need for a substantial reduction in wholesale internet bandwidth prices. “In India, 1,000 Mbps retail broadband is sold at around Rs13,000 per month, whereas in Pakistan, this costs at least 10 times more,” Siraj claimed, urging the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) to intervene and regulate wholesale internet prices, decoupling them from the US dollar.

Ensuring a Stable and Resilient Internet Ecosystem

Experts also stress the importance of maintaining a stable and secure internet environment. Anonymously, one expert highlighted the recent installation of a national firewall, which has resulted in internet outages and slowdowns. The government, they argued, should prioritize ensuring that legitimate internet traffic is not disrupted.

Pakistan’s Global Ranking in Internet Speeds

Muhammad Umair Nizam, from the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), provided context on Pakistan’s current internet speed rankings. As of January 2025, Pakistan ranks 98th globally in mobile internet speeds with a median download speed of 34.78 Mbps and 144th in fixed broadband speed,with a median download speed of 26.33 Mbps. These figures are below the global averages, underlining the critical need for improved connectivity.

Unlocking the Economic Potential of enhanced Connectivity

Nizam emphasized that enhanced bandwidth,reduced latency,and increased redundancy from the new cables will considerably benefit Pakistan’s digital ecosystem and drive economic growth. “To fully realise this potential,” he stated, “policy measures such as tax rationalisation, ease of doing business, and targeted incentives for IT exports are essential.”

IT exports have already surpassed the $3.2 billion mark, and these measures, Nizam believes, will be crucial in achieving the target of $15 billion in IT exports.

What efforts is PTCL taking to ensure that the increased capacity brought by Africa-1 translates into reduced wholesale internet prices for consumers?

Enhanced Connectivity: A Game Changer for Pakistan’s Digital Future

A Conversation with Dr. Aisha Laghari, Director of Strategic Initiatives at PTCL

archyde’s Senior Tech Journalist, Aamir Khan, caught up with dr. Aisha laghari, PTCL’s Director of Strategic Initiatives, to discuss the monumental arrival of the Africa-1 Submarine Cable and its implications for Pakistan’s digital landscape.

Welcome, dr.Laghari! Let’s dive right in.The Africa-1 cable is set to significantly enhance Pakistan’s internet connectivity. How does its arrival align with PTCL’s vision for Pakistan’s digital future?

Dr. Laghari: Thank you,Aamir. With the landing of Africa-1, PTCL takes a meaningful stride towards our vision of a digitally connected Pakistan. This cable is not just about speed, but also about redundancy and reliability. It’s a critical step in building a robust digital infrastructure that caters to our growing needs and unlocks new opportunities.

That’s exciting. Could you walk us through the installation process post-landing? What challenges can we expect Pakistan to face during this phase?

dr. Laghari: After the cable lands,we’ll begin installing essential equipment and constructing supporting facilities. This process requires careful planning and execution to minimize disruptions. Challenges include ensuring our infrastructure can handle the increased capacity, aligning with regulatory requirements, and maintaining operability during the transition phase. We’re ready to tackle these challenges and aim to complete the process within the next year.

Recent investments like Africa-1 and Africa-2 reflect pakistan’s commitment to enhancing digital infrastructure.How do these cables set us apart from our neighbors in terms of connectivity?

Dr. Laghari: Indeed,these investments differentiate us,aamir. While our region has seen improvements, Pakistan’s recent initiatives demonstrate our serious commitment to enhancing connectivity. With these cables, we’re not just increasing our capacity, but also diversifying our routes, which ensures a more robust and resilient internet ecosystem.

wahajus Siraj from Nayatel emphasized the need for reduced wholesale internet prices. How does PTCL plan to address this concern?

Dr. Laghari: We agree that affordable internet access is crucial for a thriving digital economy. While PTCL does not set wholesale prices,we’re committed to working with the PTA and industry stakeholders to explore viable solutions.This might involve reviewing existing pricing mechanisms, optimizing network operations, or encouraging competition. We beleive that collective efforts will led to meaningful reductions in wholesale prices.

Muhammad Umair Nizam from P@SHA shared Pakistan’s global ranking in internet speeds. how will Africa-1 impact these rankings,and what more can we expect in terms of speed and latency reductions?

Dr. Laghari: The arrival of Africa-1 will significantly impact our rankings by increasing our overall capacity and reducing latency. we expect a noticeable difference in internet speeds,with the potential to push our global rankings higher. However, to maintain this momentum, we must continue investing in both domestic and international connectivity. our goal is not just to improve,but to match or even exceed regional averages.

Dr. Laghari,we’ve seen progress in connectivity,but what policy measures can drive Pakistan’s digital economy forward and help achieve IT exports targets?

Dr. Laghari: To fully tap into the economic potential of enhanced connectivity, we need policy measures that foster a conducive habitat for growth. These might include tax rationalization, streamlining regulations, promoting digital literacy, and incentives for IT exports. Collaboration between the public and private sectors will be crucial in implementing these policies and realizing our IT exports target.

That wraps up our conversation. Thank you, Dr. Laghari, for sharing your insights. What’s one thought you’d like to leave our readers with?

Dr.Laghari: I’d like to remind our readers that while connectivity is vital, equal emphasis must be placed on digital literacy and content creation. Enhanced infrastructure only unlocks its full potential when supported by a digitally savvy population and a vibrant local tech industry. I invite our readers to share their thoughts on how we can collectively drive Pakistan’s digital transformation.