Internet services across Pakistan restored, says PTA

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday announced that the fault affecting the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) international submarine cable system has been rectified.

“The submarine cable is now fully operational, and internet services across Pakistan have been restored to normal operating capacity,” the authority said.

During this time, the PTA said it maintained close coordination with Transworld Associates (TWA). During the restoration process, internet traffic was rerouted through alternate international links to mitigate the impact on users and maintain service continuity to the maximum extent possible.

“The PTA continues to closely monitor the resilience and performance of Pakistan’s international connectivity infrastructure to ensure the reliable, secure, and uninterrupted provision of telecommunications and broadband services nationwide,” it said.

A day ago, the PTA said it was closely monitoring internet traffic disruption caused by a fault in the SEA-ME-WE 5 (SMW5) international submarine cable system.

Internet users might experience “intermittent degradation” in service quality and connectivity, the authority had said in a statement.

“Trans word Associate (TWA) is coordinating with the SMW5 Consortium to identify the root cause of the fault and determine the estimated time for restoration (ETTR).

“In the meantime, internet traffic is being rerouted through alternate international links to minimise the impact and ensure service continuity to the greatest extent possible,” it had said.

“PTA remains in close coordination with the concerned stakeholders and will continue to monitor the situation to facilitate the earliest possible restoration of normal internet services across the country.”