The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) on Saturday said Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in its digital transformation with the official landing of the Africa-1 submarine cable at Sea View Beach, Karachi.
Chairman Shahzad Arshad wrote that the new cable will help significantly boost the country’s internet capacity, and address longstanding bandwidth limitations and connectivity challenges.
The Africa-1 submarine cable spans over 10,000 kilometers and links Pakistan with key global regions, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, France, Kenya, and Djibouti. The consortium behind this initiative includes major telecom companies such as Mobily (Saudi Arabia), e& (UAE), G42 (UAE), Telecom Egypt, Zain Oman International (ZOI), Algérie Télécom, and TeleYemen. This high-capacity network is expected to reinforce Pakistan’s position as a critical digital hub in South Asia.
WISPAP has welcomed the development as it offers enhanced connectivity for businesses, enterprises, freelancers, and everyday internet users.
While the cable system will strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, industry leaders, including WISPAP, have called for further market liberalization in the international gateway sector. Currently, a few dominant players control Pakistan’s international bandwidth, limiting competition and keeping service costs high.
WISPAP has urged the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) to encourage greater market participation, which could reduce bandwidth costs and enhance service quality.
The Africa-1 cable is expected to become fully operational by early 2026, paving the way for improved internet speeds, reduced congestion, and greater network reliability. The enhanced connectivity is anticipated to boost sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, education, and healthcare. It will also enhance foreign investment in Pakistan’s IT and telecommunications industries. WISPAP stressed the need to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet across the country to bridge the digital divide.
“The digital divide remains a challenge, and as stakeholders in the industry, we must work collectively to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet for businesses and consumers alike. Together, we are connecting Pakistan to the world, ensuring a brighter and more connected future for all”, the chairman added.
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