Telecom Operators Report Internet Slowdown Issues to PTA Amid Social Media and Web Browsing Disruptions

Islamabad:Telecom operators in Pakistan have informed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) about the ongoing disruptions to social media services and web browsing, following a slowdown in internet speeds. PTA has completed its investigation into the matter and submitted its report to the Ministry of IT.

According to the PTA authority, telecom operators provided detailed information regarding the issues faced by their networks. Notably, Jazz and Telenor highlighted issues related to blocking on X (formerly Twitter), but neither company reported any significant issues with web browsing or data services.

### **Reports from Telecom Operators**
– **Zong** reported a general decline in data traffic across major applications, noting a 16% reduction in traffic to TikTok.
– **Ufone** pointed out a reduction in the performance of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms but did not report any issues with web browsing.

Fixed-line operators also faced disruptions during the slowdown.
– **PTCL** highlighted disturbances in social media services, specifically affecting TikTok, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. However, PTCL confirmed that there were no issues with web browsing.
– **Cybernet** reported obstacles in both social media and web browsing services, whereas **NayaTel** stated that no services on their network were affected.
– **Transworld** confirmed a slowdown in video streaming, calls, and web browsing.

### **Rising VPN Usage and Increased Bandwidth Demands**
The investigation also revealed that the increasing use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has placed an additional burden on bandwidth, exacerbating the slowdown. It was suggested that to meet the growing demand for internet services, there is an urgent need to increase bandwidth capacity.

### **Conclusion**
The disruptions reported by telecom operators indicate a broader issue of internet performance and service quality, particularly affecting social media platforms and web browsing during the recent slowdown. As internet traffic and VPN usage continue to rise, it is likely that further infrastructure enhancements will be necessary to meet the growing demands of the digital population in Pakistan. The PTA’s report to the Ministry of IT highlights the need for urgent intervention to improve the quality of service and ensure reliable internet access across the country.