IT Minister Shaza blames telecom companies for slow internet in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima on Tuesday cited lack of telecom operators and spectrum as the main reasons for slow internet across the country.

As per the details, in an informal interaction with reporters, she blamed it all on non-availability of enough spectrum and load management practices of telecom operators. The minister also said that faults in two submarine cables have now worsened the problem.

The minister said that the 274 MHz spectrum is currently at full capacity and assured that the internet speed will improve after the next spectrum auction.

She said the restrictions on opening letters of credit (LCs) had an adverse effect as they delayed the import of essential telecom equipment. The minister further revealed that no new telecom infrastructure has been set up in the last two years due to lack of investment, while rising energy and fuel prices have weighed on the sector.

Shaza said that telecom operators manage their load by curtailing/limiting services during power outages instead of turning on fuel generators to maintain maximum services.

IT minister noted the rising dollar and low average revenue per user (ARPU) in Pakistan, adding that the country’s Internet is connected by eight submarine cables, two of which are currently damaged. She was optimistic that spectrum auction and investment in the telecom sector would solve many of the current problems.