Multiple network parameters: BSPs facing performance challenges: PTA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Broadband Service Providers (BSPs) are facing performance challenges across multiple network parameters, including high bandwidth utilization and high latency, pointing to inefficiencies in routing and backbone performance, as revealed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The Authority has completed Quality of Service (QoS) surveys for fixed-line broadband services across 34 major cities in Pakistan, including Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Conducted during the third quarter of 2025, these surveys assessed the network performance of Broadband Service Providers (BSPs) to ensure users receive reliable and high-quality internet services.

The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) analysis indicates that some BSPs are facing performance challenges across multiple network parameters. High bandwidth utilization, especially during peak hours, has led to network congestion and slower internet speeds, significantly degrading user experience.

Understanding the ‘fragility’ of Pakistan’s internet and mobile services

Additionally, high latency was observed in both local (Air Max Cyber Net, NTC (Hub), PTCL (Hub), and Laser Communication) and international segments (New Millennium, SCO, Ittefaq Cable, and NTC (Hub), Instacom, and Prime Networks), pointing to inefficiencies in routing and backbone performance. Jitter levels were also found to be elevated for several BSPs— including Air Max, New Millennium, 5G Wifi, PTCL, and others—negatively affecting real-time applications such as video conferencing and gaming. Furthermore, network availability for both access and core nodes fell below acceptable thresholds for multiple providers, including Net Point, Kot Jameel Net, Ittefaq Cable, NTC, PTCL, CMPak, and others, indicating service reliability issues.

According to the results, Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Hyderabad, and Faisalabad continued to show high compliance, with several operators achieving 100 percent adherence to PTA’s KPIs. However, multiple regional operators — particularly in Haripur, Abbottabad, Kotli, Hub, Gujjar Khan, Quetta, and Sehnsa — fell short on latency and bandwidth KPIs, reflecting inconsistent service quality in underserved and hilly areas.

Several operators, including Airmax Abbottabad, Pace Telecom Abbottabad, 5GWifi Havelian, and Ittefaq Cable Network Sehnsa, showed repeated non-compliance in jitter and terrestrial latency, indicating network congestion and infrastructure limitations.

In response, non-compliant BSPs were formally notified and provided with detailed KPI performance data to highlight deficiencies. These insights are intended to guide network optimization efforts, including bandwidth management, infrastructure upgrades, and routing improvements. By addressing these performance gaps, BSPs can enhance network stability, meet regulatory standards, and deliver a higher quality of service to end users.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025