Pakistan is on the verge of transforming its internet connectivity, thanks to the installation of the 2Africa undersea cable. Stretching over 45,000 kilometers, this monumental project is expected to significantly improve internet speeds and reliability for the country’s users when it goes live soon. According to sources, the installation process is nearing completion, generating optimism among the digital community.
The 2Africa cable is not just any undersea cable; it boasts an impressive capacity of 180 terabits per second and connects Pakistan to 46 landing stations across 33 countries, linking Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. This extensive infrastructure project, driven by major tech players like Meta (formerly Facebook) and Vodafone, is part of the broader 2Africa Pearls initiative aimed at enhancing global digital connectivity.
Currently, Pakistan ranks 198th globally in internet speed rankings, as highlighted by the World Population Review. This low standing places the country behind several nations, including Palestine and Ghana, with average mobile internet download speeds recorded at just 19.59 Mbps. Broadband speeds also lag at approximately 15.52 Mbps. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates, known for its advanced digital infrastructure, leads the pack, followed closely by Singapore and Qatar.
Many Pakistani internet users have been vocal about their frustrations stemming from frequent outages and sluggish internet speeds, particularly affecting the thriving freelancing community. With internet stability being imperative for their livelihood, concerns are rising about potential increases in unemployment due to connectivity woes. The government has linked these challenges to the implementation of Internet firewalls at the country's primary gateways, which monitor and filter online traffic.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Federal Minister of State for Information Technology, noted the slow service has been exacerbated by the excessive use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The minister clarified, "The internet is neither blocked nor intentionally slowed down. Instead, the heavy reliance on VPNs, due to service restrictions on specific applications, significantly impacts speed issues." This assertion sheds light on how access hurdles have led users to resort to means of bypassing geo-blocks, which, inadvertently, hampers overall connectivity.
Despite the evident speed issues, the 2Africa cable promises to double the country's digital bandwidth. By greatly enhancing connection speeds, it aims to alleviate long-standing internet issues. The current reliance on existing cables, which collectively provide only about 8 terabytes of bandwidth, has proven insufficient to meet the demand for faster internet. The anticipated 24 terabytes from the new cable is seen as a game-changer for users craving seamless experiences, particularly for social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The initial phases of the project have already commenced, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) facilitating the installation process through Transworld Associates, the designated landing partner for the cable. Phase one, involving the Pre-Lay Shore End (PLSE) at Hawksbay, Karachi, kicked off on December 1, 2024, and the second phase—deep-sea cable laying—will begin on April 1, 2025. All progress points to the cable going live by the end of next year, which has generated excitement among potential users.
Pakistan’s digital future is also linked to plans for additional internet lines and the introduction of 5G services. The combined efforts aim to resolve connectivity issues and lay the groundwork for more advanced internet services over the coming years. P@SHA (Pakistan Software House Association) chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed shared insights about the growing infrastructure needs, emphasizing the importance of having reliable connections and updated technology to handle future demands.
Interestingly, the current push for improved internet connectivity has sparked political discussions as well. During recent parliamentary sessions, members of the Pakistan Peoples Party voiced discontent over the government’s handling of digital policy, highlighting the disconnect between proclaimed advancements and actual internet performance. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged youth to advocate for their digital rights, underscoring the pressing need for reliable internet services to secure future opportunities.
Looking forward, the 2Africa cable promises to bring about tangible improvements for Pakistanis reliant on stable internet access for their education, work, and leisure. With its impending activation, authorities and users alike are hopeful for the dawn of faster, more reliable internet, positioning Pakistan closer to global standards and helping to transform the country’s digital economy.
