Pakistan internet speeds may slow due to submarine cable repairs

Internet users in Pakistan may experience slower connections during peak hours until November 2, 2026, due to emergency maintenance on the Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1) international submarine cable.

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) reported that the maintenance began on October 27 and affects the cable section connecting Italy and France. The disruption is expected to cause “minor service degradation,” particularly when users access websites or online services hosted in Europe. Impacted activities may include slower browsing, video streaming buffering, and delays in downloading large files.

The AAE-1 is a 25,000-kilometer telecommunications system that carries significant international internet traffic between Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The cable has a landing point in Karachi, Pakistan, and connects to various European locations including Greece, Italy, and France.