2Africa submarine cable: PTA says made ‘significant strides’ to boost internet connectivity

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Tuesday said it had made “significant strides” in enhancing international connectivity through the facilitation of Transworld Associate (TWA), the landing partner of 2Africa submarine cable for Pakistan.

The initiative “will improve Pakistan’s international telecommunications infrastructure and enhance connectivity”, it added.

“As one of the world’s largest submarine cable systems, the 2Africa cable spans 45,000 kilometers and connecting 46 locations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Internet services face disruption again in Pakistan

“Utilising SDM1 technology, it offers 180Tbps capacity. Supported by a global consortium of eight partners, including Meta and Vodafone, the 2Africa cable is set to go live in Pakistan by Q4 2025,” PTA statement read.

Commencement of Phase 1 of the project, involving Pre-Lay Shore End (PLSE) installation, began on December 1, 2024, with the cable landing at Hawksbay, Karachi. Phase 2, the deep-sea cable lay will commences on April 1, 2025, the statement added.

Pakistan remains engulfed in shutdowns of mobile services and disruptions in internet services, while X (formerly Twitter) remains blocked in the country.

Speaking on the floor of the Parliament last week, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja acknowledged some challenges to internet users’ experience because of the internet congestion and limited spectrum availability.

She said social media platform X was closed due to security concerns on the advice of the Interior Ministry.

“National security is the top priority and we have to strengthen the cyber security of the country to prevent cyber-attacks, data leakage, and digital strikes from hostile elements and states,” she told the lawmakers.

Pakistan’s information technology sector suffers losses of more than one million dollars per hour on account of internet shutdown in the country, according to Sajjad Mustafa Syed, chairman of Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).