Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is set to make significant strides in boosting the country’s internet connectivity by linking a new undersea fibre-optic cable, the Africa-1 submarine cable, to its landing station in Karachi today, Saturday. The new connection, announced in a recent notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), marks an important step in PTCL’s efforts to enhance Pakistan’s internet infrastructure and improve global connectivity.
The $59.5 million Africa-1 project, which was approved in November 2020, is poised to strengthen communications between the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Europe, and Africa, facilitating faster and more reliable data transmission across these regions. With multiple landing stations along the route, the Africa-1 cable will improve Pakistan’s ability to interact with these critical global markets and bolster digital connectivity.
Though the cable’s physical landing will take place today, it will take an additional year of work to make the system fully operational for end users. This timeline is necessary for the installation of vital internet infrastructure, including the required equipment and supporting facilities, across the country. Once fully implemented, the Africa-1 cable will be ready to serve users in the first quarter of 2026, as per PTCL’s notice.
This move comes on the heels of a similar development just a few months earlier. In December 2024, Transworld Associates also connected its Africa-2 submarine cable to Karachi’s landing station, marking another significant step forward in improving Pakistan’s international connectivity. Like Africa-1, the Africa-2 cable is expected to become operational by next year, enhancing the bandwidth and internet speeds available to Pakistani users and businesses alike.
The introduction of these cables represents a larger shift toward improving Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and global connectivity. As the world increasingly moves toward more interconnected markets and industries, high-speed internet access has become essential. By bringing in these new undersea cables, PTCL is helping Pakistan bridge the digital divide, providing faster internet services that are crucial for economic growth, education, and access to global markets.
One of the key aspects of the Africa-1 submarine cable is its strategic design to link multiple regions with high demand for data traffic. Connecting the UAE, Europe, and Africa through this new cable will open up additional bandwidth options for Pakistani users, reduce congestion on existing routes, and ensure more reliable internet service. The cable’s presence will also create new opportunities for the local tech ecosystem, especially in industries relying on data-heavy applications, such as cloud computing, e-commerce, and online education.
The Pakistan government and PTCL’s ongoing focus on improving the nation’s internet infrastructure is part of a broader vision to digitalize the economy. The installation of state-of-the-art undersea cables like Africa-1 and Africa-2 enhances the nation’s internet capacity, making it a more competitive player in the global digital economy. It also helps future-proof Pakistan’s telecommunication systems, ensuring that they can accommodate increasing demand for high-speed internet in the coming years.
In conclusion, PTCL’s efforts to link the Africa-1 submarine cable today are a critical milestone in enhancing Pakistan’s internet infrastructure. While full service will take another year to materialize, the project’s completion in 2026 will pave the way for faster, more reliable internet access and open up new opportunities for Pakistan’s digital economy. With this new connection, Pakistan is poised to play an even larger role in the global connectivity landscape, benefiting both individuals and businesses across the country.