Pakistan is ready for a major digital upgrade this year while the government is preparing to install new underwater internet cables to strengthen connectivity and support the deployment of 5G technology.
The Federal Minister of Information Technologies, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, said Thursday that the project would improve not only the internet speed but would also improve reliability, reduce breakdowns and unlock wider economic opportunities, according to a statement published by the State diffuser Radio Pakistan.
“The new cables will expand bandwidth capacity, will reduce dependence on older systems and place Pakistan as a stronger participant in world digital networks,” said Fatima.
Read: Internet upgrade
Earlier, Pakistan also actively participated in major world submarine projects, including the 2-Africa cable, installed in Karachi at the end of 2024 and should be posted by the end of 2025 with a capacity of 180 TBPS. Other projects such as Africa-1, Peace and MGG-1 should collectively add more than 26 TBPS of bandwidth.
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The additional infrastructure, including the three new cables, should help overcome recurring problems linked to cables subject to tests such as Asia-Africa-Europe-1 (AAE-1) and Southeast Asia-Middle East-Ouest Europe 4 (SMW-4), according to Fatima.
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The government considers expansion as at the heart of its wider digital strategy, aimed at attracting investments, improving the provision of services and enabling companies to develop in a more connected economy.
Industry experts claim that this decision could open the way to faster 5G adoption and strengthen Pakistan’s regional position in digital trade, said the declaration.
