Internet Slowdown in Pakistan: Are CMOs or Government Policies to Blame?

Pakistan has been grappling with a noticeable slowdown in internet services, raising questions about the underlying causes of this persistent issue. As users face frequent disruptions in voice calls, delayed webpage loading, and inconsistent network performance, the debate intensifies: Are cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) falling short in their commitments, or are government policies and regulatory gaps exacerbating the problem? While CMOs cite economic challenges and regulatory barriers, critics argue that their efforts to improve infrastructure and service quality remain inadequate. At the same time, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has faced scrutiny for its lenient stance on enforcing quality standards. This multi-faceted issue requires a closer examination of both CMOs’ operational practices and government interventions to understand who truly bears responsibility for the nation’s declining telecom services.

Internet Slowdown in Pakistan: Are CMOs or Government Policies to Blame?

Pakistan’s telecom services are facing criticism due to declining quality, with CMOs failing to consistently meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These KPIs, set by PTA, cover areas like voice services, webpage loading, and latency. According to an independent Quality of Service (QoS) survey conducted by the PTA, CMOs only partially met these benchmarks.

Performance Gaps Highlighted by PTA Surveys

The PTA conducted a QoS survey in 18 cities during the third quarter of 2024, evaluating CMOs’ performance against the 2021 Cellular Mobile Network QoS Regulations. The survey included 0.29 million mobile broadband tests and 41,700 voice and SMS tests. The results painted a concerning picture:

1. Voice Services: Out of 21,061 call attempts, 570 failed, and 208 calls dropped before reaching two minutes. Despite 20,283 calls being successfully completed, the KPIs for network accessibility, call setup success rate, and call completion rate showed inconsistent compliance.
2. Mobile Broadband: Tests for latency—a crucial metric affecting user experience—revealed significant gaps. None of the four operators fully met the KPI across all surveyed areas, impacting the quality of internet services like web browsing and video streaming.
3. Webpage Loading: This QoE metric showed poor performance across all operators. While some websites loaded within acceptable timeframes, none of the CMOs met the standard in all tested locations.

SMS services also exhibited minor inconsistencies, with 20,203 successful deliveries out of 20,433 attempts. Signal strength tests ranked Zong highest, followed by Jazz, Ufone, and Telenor.

Lack of Regulatory Action

Despite the evidence of poor performance, the PTA has not penalized CMOs since August 2023. A senior PTA official cited a desire to avoid further pressuring telecom operators as the reason for the leniency. This has raised questions about the authority’s commitment to enforcing service quality standards and protecting consumer interests.

Is Government Policy Contributing to Slow Internet?

The government’s actions—or lack thereof—may be a contributing factor to the decline in telecom services. While the PTA previously issued notices and imposed fines, its current hands-off approach could be emboldening CMOs to operate below standard. Additionally, high operational costs, including taxes and spectrum fees, are reportedly hampering the operators’ ability to invest in infrastructure improvements.

Are CMOs Solely Responsible?

CMOs argue that external factors, such as regulatory hurdles and economic challenges, limit their ability to enhance service quality. The government’s failure to provide tax relief or reduce spectrum fees exacerbates these challenges. However, critics point out that operators must also prioritize upgrading their networks to meet increasing consumer demands.

Our Thoughts

The slow internet speeds in Pakistan are a result of multiple factors, including insufficient regulatory enforcement, CMOs’ operational inefficiencies, and the government’s lack of supportive policies. To address the issue, the PTA must resume strict monitoring and impose penalties when necessary. Simultaneously, the government should work with CMOs to reduce operational barriers, ensuring adequate investment in telecom infrastructure.

By fostering collaboration between regulators, operators, and policymakers, Pakistan can improve its telecom services and provide users with the reliable connectivity they deserve.

See Also: Opposition & Govt Allies Criticize Internet Outages in IT Committee Meeting