Pakistan braces for internet slowdown as submarine cable repairs scheduled

ISLAMABAD: Internet users across Pakistan may face slow internet speeds and possible service disruptions on January 15, as repairs are scheduled to be carried out on one of the country’s key submarine internet cables.

According to internet service provider Nayatel, the repairs will begin at around 2:00 pm and could take around eight hours, during which time internet performance across the country may be affected.

An email sent to customers by Nayatel said that the repairs are being carried out on an international submarine cable and are unavoidable. While the company did not provide the exact location or details of the cable fault, users may potentially experience reduced internet speeds.

Submarine cables are crucial for Pakistan’s international data traffic, and any disruption in them can affect browsing, streaming, online work and other digital services.

It should be recalled that Pakistan also witnessed a large-scale internet outage earlier this month. On January 1, 2026, users across the country complained of severe internet slowdowns and outages, which continued for more than two days due to a fault with an upstream internet provider.

Pakistan relies on a limited number of submarine cables for global internet access. While the repair work is essential, its impact on users is significant. Data is being transferred through alternative routes during the repair, but internet speeds may be slow during this time.

Nayatel and other service providers have advised users to plan their important online activities in advance during the repair to avoid possible disruptions.