The world’s longest and fastest internet submarine cable has arrived in Pakistan, greatly enhancing internet connectivity for users across the nation. The 2Africa submarine cable, described as the longest and most capacious internet cable globally, connects Africa to Hawks Bay BMX and boasts a staggering total capacity of 180 terabits per second. This groundbreaking cable is set to be operational by the end of 2025, presenting significant benefits for users accessing Meta’s suite of services, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
The 2Africa cable stretches over 45,000 kilometers and incorporates 46 landing stations across 33 countries, marking Pakistan's involvement as part of the Pearl segment connecting the Gulf countries to India. Manif Rana, Head of Submarine Cable at Transworld, stated, “This cable is part of a consortium including China Mobile International, Meta, and others.” He explained the increasing demand for internet content necessitated more submarine cables to support the country's digital needs. This latest addition will bring 24 terabits of bandwidth to Pakistan, enhancing internet speeds substantially.
Aamiruddin, Chief Technical Officer at Transworld, emphasized the significance of this upgrade, explaining how the 2Africa cable enhances Pakistan's connectivity to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Expected to go live by the last quarter of 2025, this infrastructure initiative is poised to strengthen the operational backbone of the country’s digital ecosystem. With the addition of this considerable bandwidth, users are expected to experience smoother online interactions, particularly when engaging on social media platforms.
Currently, Pakistan relies on around 8 terabits of bandwidth from existing cables, suffering from frustratingly slow internet speeds and frequent outages. The enhancement brought by the 2Africa cable doubles the digital bandwidth, providing much-needed relief for users, particularly those involved in the freelancing community and those reliant on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The country's government is not stopping here; it has plans to add four more major internet lines next year to reinforce its overall digital capacity.
Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima, has acknowledged Pakistan's internet speed issues, remarking, “Pakistan's internet speed falls short of international standards,” during discussions raised within the National Assembly. This sentiment echoes widespread frustration among the Pakistani populace who have long dealt with subpar internet access. Member of Parliament Shazia Marri voiced her criticism of the government's Digital Nation Bill, asserting the growing disparity between the anticipated digital progress and prevailing slow internet speeds.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has brought attention to the importance of digital rights during his recent address at the Sindh University Convocation. He raises alarms over the government’s strategies, hinting at attempts to control the online sphere through censorship and the potential ramifications this could have on the youth, who are increasingly utilizing various internet platforms as tools for social change. He stated, “The youth’s collective use of internet platforms could be a powerful force for change.”
With the arrival of the 2Africa submarine cable and the planned additional lines, Pakistan is at the threshold of transformative changes to its internet infrastructure. This development signifies not only improving connectivity but also amplifying the country’s digital footprint, aiming for high-speed internet accessible to all citizens.
Pakistan is increasingly aware of the need for reliable and fast internet, not just for everyday users but also for businesses and freelancers requiring stable networks for their operations. The timing of this upgrade is particularly instrumental; as the nation increasingly integrates digital solutions across various sectors, the repercussions of lagging internet speed become even more pronounced.
Balancing the technological advancement with regulatory frameworks is imperative as the nation navigates the challenges posed by the digital frontier. The new undersea cable, part of the broader ambitions outlined under the Digital Pakistan initiative, embodies hope for users longing for swift, more reliable internet experiences.
Decisively, these enhancements present Pakistan with opportunities for economic growth as the country ushers forward, embracing its digital future through sustained improvements to its internet infrastructure. This foundational shift aims to address historical grievances and sets the stage for engaging with the global community more effectively.
