SMW5 cable fault may disrupt internet services

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday said some internet users may experience intermittent service degradation after a fault developed in the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) submarine cable system.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the PTA said it is closely monitoring the situation following the fault in one of the country's key international submarine cable systems, which carries a significant portion of Pakistan's internet traffic.

The regulator said the disruption may affect the quality of internet services for some users, resulting in slower speeds or intermittent connectivity until the issue is resolved.

According to the PTA, Transworld Associates (TWA), which is connected to the SMW5 cable system, is working closely with the SMW5 Consortium to identify the root cause of the fault and determine the estimated time for restoration.

While repair efforts are underway, internet traffic is being rerouted through alternate international links to reduce the impact on users and maintain service continuity as much as possible.

The PTA said it remains in close coordination with all relevant stakeholders and is continuously monitoring the situation to facilitate the earliest possible restoration of normal internet services across the country.

However, the authority did not specify the exact location of the fault or provide an estimated timeline for the complete restoration of services.

The SEA-ME-WE 5 submarine cable is one of the major international communication links connecting Pakistan to the global internet network. Any fault in the system can affect internet speeds and connectivity, particularly during periods of high traffic, until repair work is completed and normal routing is restored.