Submarine Cable Fault Identified
During a briefing to the Standing Committee on Information Technology, PTA Chairman Hafiz Rahman explained that the fault occurred in one of the seven fiber optic cables that connect Pakistan to the global internet. This particular cable handles a substantial 7.5 terabits of data traffic, making the disruption particularly severe. The fault in the submarine cable, according to Rahman, has been isolated and is expected to be repaired by August 27, 2024.
The disruption, however, was not global but specific to Pakistan’s cable system. As one of the country’s main conduits to the internet went down, users experienced significant slowdowns, particularly affecting those relying on high-speed connections for work, streaming, and other online activities.
VPN Usage Compounds the Issue
The issue was compounded by other factors, notably the widespread use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in the country. Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima, explained that the increased use of VPNs contributed to the network strain. As certain services became restricted, many users turned to VPNs to bypass these limitations, further straining the already compromised network. While VPNs are often used for legitimate privacy concerns, their mass usage during an infrastructure fault exacerbated the situation.
There has also been some discussion around the implementation of internet firewalls at Pakistan’s main internet gateways. These systems, designed to monitor and filter traffic, have been partially blamed for the slowed internet speeds. Although they are intended to block or control access to specific content, the firewalls also have the potential to reduce overall internet performance, particularly when the system is under stress, as was the case during the recent cable fault.
As repair efforts continue, many are hopeful that the situation will stabilize soon. However, the incident has highlighted the fragility of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure and the need for more resilient systems to prevent future disruptions. In the meantime, users are encouraged to be patient and avoid unnecessary strain on the network.
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