IT experts in Pakistan are urging the government to expedite the rollout of 5G services due to significant economic losses linked to slow Internet speeds and outages. Reports reveal Pakistan experienced major Internet disruptions, causing over USD 1.6 billion in losses in 2024. Key industry leaders emphasize the need for improved connectivity to support growth in the IT sector, which reached USD 3.2 billion in exports. The discussion includes recommendations for bolstering infrastructure and policy changes to assist freelancers and enhance the country’s global standing.
In recent discussions, IT experts in Pakistan have called upon the government to accelerate the deployment of 5G services to mitigate the country’s persistent issues with slow Internet speeds. A report from Top10VPN.com identified that Pakistan suffered the highest economic losses from Internet outages worldwide in 2024, amounting to USD 1.62 billion, due to extended disruptions that totaled 9,735 hours and impacted 82.9 million users, primarily caused by political events such as elections and protests.
The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has highlighted potential annual financial losses for the IT sector of up to USD 150 million, attributing these losses to both slow Internet speeds and restrictions on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The chairman of P@SHA, Sajjad Mustafa Syed, stated, “Pakistan suffers a loss of more than one million dollars per hour on account of Internet shutdowns in the country.”
Mr. Syed emphasized the urgency of advancing the 5G rollout, especially with a spectrum auction scheduled for March 2025, and recommended enhancing infrastructure by implementing fiber-optics in cellular towers and introducing new undersea cables for better connectivity. While the IT sector has shown growth, with exports reaching USD 3.2 billion for the fiscal year 2023-24, Mr. Syed cautioned that ongoing disruptions could hinder the government’s objective of achieving USD 15 billion in IT exports in the current fiscal year.
Additionally, Tufail Ahmed Khan, President of the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), underscored how unreliable Internet has adversely affected freelance workers, advocating for policies that promote Internet and VPN accessibility to bolster foreign remittances and alleviate pressure on government employment initiatives.
Former P@SHA chairman, Zohaib Khan, raised concerns regarding the reputational damage that may result from continued Internet shutdowns, stating, “Reports of Internet shutdowns are damaging Pakistan’s brand image on the global stage, which indirectly impacts the industry.” He suggested that freelancers seek co-working spaces during outages to continue their work effectively.
In response to these challenges, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has arranged temporary bandwidth solutions to counter disruptions caused by faults in the Asia-Africa-Europe-1 (AAE-1) submarine cable, one of the major cables connecting Pakistan globally. The PTA has also planned to enhance Internet connectivity by joining the 2Africa submarine cable system later this year.
The issues raised reflect significant barriers that need to be overcome for the IT industry to thrive. Without prompt action on Internet service improvements, the negative impact on Pakistan’s economic and global standing may only expand further, underscoring the need for immediate reforms in connectivity policy.
The article discusses the urgent need for Pakistan to upgrade its Internet services, particularly highlighting the deployment of 5G technology to alleviate the difficulties posed by slow Internet speeds and frequent outages. The challenges faced by the IT sector, particularly due to political events leading to internet disruptions, represent not just an inconvenience but a substantial economic liability. Reports from reputable sources provide insight into the scale of the issue, emphasizing the link between Internet reliability and economic performance. The calls for improvement also reflect the aspirations of Pakistan’s burgeoning freelancing and IT communities, which depend heavily on stable Internet for their success.
In conclusion, Pakistan is facing a critical juncture where the need for modernized Internet services is increasingly imperative. With significant economic losses attributed to Internet disruptions and an urgent demand for 5G rollout, it is essential for the government and regulatory bodies to take immediate and decisive action to enhance connectivity. By addressing these issues, Pakistan can improve its economic prospects, bolster its international reputation, and support the growth of its flourishing IT and freelance sectors.
Original Source: telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com
