PTA Survey Flags Peak-Hour Congestion and Latency Issues in Pakistan’s Broadband Networks

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has completed a nationwide quality-of-service survey of fixed-line broadband providers, identifying congestion and latency problems on some networks despite broad compliance with key performance standards.

The survey was carried out during the second quarter of 2026 across 24 major cities, including locations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. It assessed whether broadband service providers were delivering reliable and consistent internet services to consumers.

According to the PTA, most operators met the required benchmarks for network availability, jitter, local and international latency, bandwidth utilization, and data throughput.

However, the regulator found performance deficiencies among a number of broadband providers.

One of the main concerns was high bandwidth utilization during peak hours, which can lead to network congestion and slower internet speeds. PTA said such conditions could directly affect the quality of service experienced by subscribers.

The survey also recorded increased latency on both local and international network segments. The findings suggest possible weaknesses in routing systems and backbone infrastructure, which may contribute to delayed response times and reduced network efficiency.

PTA said directions were being issued to the operators concerned, requiring them to take corrective measures and improve network performance.

The regulator said the purpose of the quarterly surveys was to strengthen fixed-line broadband quality and ensure that consumers receive dependable internet services across the country.

The detailed results of the Q2 2026 survey have been published on PTA’s official website for public review.