On Tuesday, the country’s IT Minister stated that the internet problems users are experiencing are “complicated,” attributing the disruptions to infrastructure limitations and a lack of investment.
In recent months, users have faced slow internet speeds and frequent disconnections. The government has cited various reasons for the slowdown, including updates to a ‘web management system’ and issues with the undersea cable that connects Pakistan to the global internet.
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Speaking to reporters, Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja described internet disruptions as a “complicated matter” and noted that people often blame the ‘firewall’ or ‘web management system’ due to a lack of information.
She also mentioned that the current internet spectrum is inadequate to meet the country’s needs, leading to frequent slowdowns. However, she expressed optimism that the introduction of 5G internet would help resolve these issues.
The spectrum refers to the radio frequencies that enable wireless signals to travel, allowing users to make calls and access the internet on mobile devices.
Earlier this month, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority began the process of auctioning 5G spectrum bands and received five proposals from international consultants to manage the auction.
“There is a gap between demand and supply in the country,” Ms. Khawaja said, acknowledging that other “structural and political” factors are also contributing to internet disruptions.
She noted that Pakistan’s entire internet infrastructure operates on only 274 MHz, and legal challenges have delayed its expansion.
The internet service providers have faced financial difficulties recently due to high energy costs, making it unfeasible to run telecom towers on generators during power outages, the minister explained.
Additionally, the upgrade of internet infrastructure has been hampered by restrictions on Letters of Credit, which are necessary for imports, in recent years.
She mentioned that these issues prompted the IT ministry to propose offering free spectrum to telecom companies, but the finance ministry preferred to generate revenue through auctions.
When asked about the installation of a firewall and its potential impact on user rights, the minister stated that it was necessary due to the “serious threat” of cyber security. She added that regarding freedom of speech, various political content is uploaded daily in Pakistan without restrictions.
