The cellular internet in Pakistan is currently experiencing severe slowdowns, profoundly impacting digital activities across the country.
The ongoing internet issues are causing significant disruptions, with the internet industry reportedly losing $50 million per day. This has particularly affected IT exports, which are losing around $13 million daily, highlighting the specific impact on the technology sector.
Reports indicate that the recent installation of a firewall may be contributing to these internet problems, though the Ministry of Information Technology has yet to provide conclusive reasons for the disruption.
Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima has confirmed that the ministry has requested data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to assess the impact on data traffic over the past two weeks. "We will be in a position to say something as soon as the data comes in," she stated.
Amidst the uncertainty, officials from the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) have suggested that a solar storm might be influencing the internet issues.
Dr. Roshnan Nadeem, a PhD Scholar at Suparco, reported that solar activities have affected radio frequencies and caused temporary blackouts with satellites, potentially exacerbating cellular network and GPS connectivity problems.
IT experts attribute the slow internet speeds to the limited use of old cables and spectrum. Parvez Iftikhar, a telecom affairs specialist, noted that most of the internet is accessed in Pakistan through mobile phones, which requires mobile spectrum. He noted that Pakistan's mobile spectrum is among the lowest in the region, and the country's optic fiber penetration is insufficient. This shortage contributes to the subpar internet speeds.
The disruption has had a cascading effect on online businesses. Freelancers on platforms like Fiverr and Amazon are experiencing a decrease in client orders, and businesses are struggling with data searching, downloading, and general communication issues. Entrepreneurs are reporting increased working hours as they attempt to compensate for the slow internet, while students are facing difficulties in creating and accessing notes.
"Where we used to work for five to six hours, now we have to work for 10 hours," said an online business owner.
One frustrated online business owner shared their experience: "I want to send a few documents and a small video to the office, but it's been half an hour with no progress. The internet is so slow that it's affecting my productivity, and the administrative hurdles are adding to the frustration."
An IT professional says businessmen sitting abroad are not trusting Pakistanis. Problem in data searching and downloading, problem in creating notes, students
As the situation continues to develop, both businesses and individuals are bracing for prolonged disruptions and potential economic losses. IT professionals are urging for immediate solutions to address the ongoing issues and mitigate the impact on the country’s digital economy.
