Submarine Cable Fault Causes Internet Disruptions in Pakistan: What You Need to Know

In a recent development that has raised concerns across Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced that a fault in the AAE-1 submarine cable near Qatar is causing internet disruptions. This undersea cable, one of the key international cables connecting Pakistan to global internet traffic, has been a source of recurring issues, and the latest fault threatens to affect broadband and internet services across the country.

The cable fault, which was identified on Thursday evening, has already started to impact the user experience of internet services in Pakistan. With many businesses and users relying heavily on stable internet connections, this disruption has come as a major setback.

What Is AAE-1 Submarine Cable and Its Importance to Pakistan?

The AAE-1 (Asia-Africa-Europe-1) submarine cable is a vital part of Pakistan’s international internet infrastructure. It is one of the seven undersea cables that connect Pakistan to the world, facilitating internet and broadband connectivity for millions of users. This cable spans over 25,000 kilometers and connects Pakistan to various regions in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The importance of such cables cannot be overstated, as they handle the majority of the international internet traffic that enters and exits Pakistan.

How Does a Submarine Cable Work?

Submarine cables are essential for providing high-speed internet services across continents. These cables are laid under the sea, connecting different countries and continents by linking various communication hubs. They carry internet, voice, and data traffic and are the backbone of global internet communication. When faults occur in these cables, it can lead to significant slowdowns or outages in internet services, affecting both individuals and businesses.

Why Does a Fault in Submarine Cable Affect Internet Services?

When a submarine cable like the AAE-1 encounters a fault, the consequences are immediately felt in the affected country. The internet traffic that flows through this cable is disrupted, leading to slower speeds, inconsistent connections, or even complete outages in some cases. The fault could range from a small glitch to a major break in the cable, and depending on the severity, it could take anywhere from hours to weeks to resolve.

In Pakistan’s case, the disruption in the AAE-1 cable has raised alarm as it is one of the primary cables that help manage the country’s international internet traffic. Although there are other cables that serve as backup routes, their capacity is often limited, causing a bottleneck effect when one of the main cables fails.

Impact of AAE-1 Cable Fault on Pakistan’s Internet Services

1. Slower Internet Speeds and Increased Latency

With the fault in the AAE-1 cable, internet users across Pakistan may experience slower speeds. As the data routes are rerouted through backup systems, the traffic becomes more congested, leading to increased latency. This can affect everything from browsing and downloading to video conferencing and online gaming.

2. Disruption of Broadband Services

Broadband users in Pakistan, especially those relying on international websites and services, are expected to experience interruptions. The slower speeds may result in buffering on streaming platforms and difficulty accessing foreign websites or services hosted on international servers.

3. Impact on Businesses and Critical Services

Businesses that rely heavily on the internet for communication, transactions, or access to cloud services may also face setbacks. E-commerce platforms, online services, financial institutions, and government services could all experience delays in operations, leading to a temporary disruption of business continuity.

Steps Taken by PTA to Address the Issue

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the country’s regulatory body for telecom services, has acknowledged the fault and reassured the public that efforts are underway to restore normal internet services. According to the PTA’s official statement:

“This is to inform the general public that a fault has been reported in the submarine cable AAE-1 near Qatar. This may impact internet and broadband user experience across Pakistan. The concerned teams are working to fix the fault, and we are monitoring the situation closely. Updates will be provided accordingly.”

Ongoing Monitoring and Updates

The PTA has made it clear that the situation is being actively monitored, and they will continue to update users as new information becomes available. This kind of proactive approach is essential to keep users informed about the issue and to manage expectations about resolution times.

Why Submarine Cable Faults Have Become Recurring in Pakistan

Submarine cable faults are not new to Pakistan. The country has witnessed several disruptions in the past, with the most common causes being natural events like earthquakes, ship anchors, or even marine life interference. However, one of the main reasons for these recurring issues is the aging infrastructure of the undersea cables and limited redundancy in the network.

Since Pakistan relies on a relatively small number of international undersea cables for internet connectivity, the failure of any one of them can cause major issues, as is evident in the current situation. With the increasing demand for data and the rise of online services, the need for more resilient, redundant infrastructure has become more critical than ever before.

What Are the Solutions to Prevent Future Internet Disruptions?

To avoid the recurrence of such disruptions in the future, several measures can be implemented:

1. Strengthening Cable Infrastructure

Investing in the development of new, more robust submarine cables can ensure that Pakistan’s internet connectivity is more resilient to faults. Diversifying the number of cables connecting Pakistan to the world will reduce the impact of any single cable failure.

2. Enhanced Monitoring Systems

Upgrading the existing monitoring systems to provide real-time data on cable health and performance will allow for faster detection of faults and quicker resolution times.

3. Collaboration with International Partners

Pakistan could also benefit from increased collaboration with international telecom companies and regulators to improve the global coordination of cable repair efforts, which could speed up the recovery time in case of future faults.

4. Development of More Localized Internet Infrastructure

While international cables are crucial for global connectivity, the development of more localized internet infrastructure, such as data centers and local servers, can reduce reliance on international cables. This will also improve the overall quality of internet services within the country.

FAQs on Submarine Cable Faults and Internet Disruptions in Pakistan

1. What is the AAE-1 submarine cable? The AAE-1 submarine cable is one of the major undersea cables that connects Pakistan to the global internet network. It spans across multiple continents, including Asia, Africa, and Europe.

2. How does a fault in the submarine cable affect internet services? A fault in a submarine cable can cause disruptions in internet connectivity, including slower speeds, increased latency, and possible service outages, as data traffic is rerouted through backup systems.

3. How long will it take to fix the fault in the AAE-1 cable? The repair time for a submarine cable fault can vary, ranging from several hours to weeks, depending on the severity and the response time of the technical teams working on the issue.

4. Why do submarine cable faults keep happening in Pakistan? Submarine cable faults can be caused by natural factors like earthquakes or ship anchors. Pakistan’s limited number of international cables and aging infrastructure also contribute to recurring faults.

5. What measures are being taken to prevent future faults? Improving the resilience of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure, including investment in new cables, better monitoring systems, and localized infrastructure, can help prevent future disruptions.

ALSO READ

IT Ministry Launches Rightsizing Initiative: Key Reforms in Pakistan’s IT and Telecom Sector