Submarine cable fault near Qatar may disrupt internet services, says PTA

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday announced a fault in the AAE-1 submarine cable near Qatar, one of seven international undersea cables connecting Pakistan to global internet infrastructure. This disruption may impact internet and broadband services nationwide.

In a statement, the PTA assured users that repair teams are working diligently to restore connectivity. The authority is closely monitoring the situation and will provide timely updates to telecom users across Pakistan.

Submarine cables are the backbone of global internet connectivity, responsible for transmitting over 99% of international data traffic. Pakistan relies on seven major undersea cables, including SEA-ME-WE 3, SEA-ME-WE 4, SEA-ME-WE 5, AAE-1, IMEWE, TW1, and SEAMEWE 6. These cables connect the country to various data hubs in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

The AAE-1 (Asia-Africa-Europe 1) cable, which has developed the fault, is a critical component of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. Spanning over 25,000 kilometers, it connects Southeast Asia to Europe via the Middle East and serves as a high-capacity route for internet traffic.

This is not the first time Pakistan has experienced disruptions due to alleged submarine cable faults. Previous incidents highlighted the vulnerability of the nation’s internet infrastructure and the need for robust backup systems to minimize downtime.

PTA has advised users to anticipate possible slowdowns and interruptions during peak hours. Internet service providers (ISPs) often reroute traffic through alternate cables to ensure service continuity, though this can cause latency issues.

The recurring faults underscore the importance of diversifying connectivity options and investing in more resilient internet infrastructure.