PTA Announces Major Breakthrough in Global Connectivity with Submarine Cable System

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced a significant advancement in boosting the country’s international connectivity through the implementation of the 2Africa Submarine Cable system. The initiative, facilitated by Transworld Associates, represents a major leap forward in Pakistan's digital infrastructure.

The 2Africa cable, one of the world’s largest submarine cable systems, spans 45,000 kilometers and links 46 locations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Using cutting-edge SDM1 technology, it provides an impressive capacity of 180Tbps. Supported by a global consortium, including Meta and Vodafone, the cable system aims to enhance global digital connectivity.

PTA revealed that the cable’s Pakistan segment is expected to go live by the fourth quarter of 2025. Phase 1 of the project, which involves Pre-Lay Shore End (PLSE) installation, began on December 1, 2024, with the cable landing at Hawksbay, Karachi. Phase 2, involving the laying of the deep-sea cable, is set to commence on April 1, 2025.

“This project will significantly improve Pakistan’s international telecommunications infrastructure and enhance connectivity, enabling faster and more reliable internet services,” the PTA said in a statement.

Earlier this year, Pakistan faced significant internet disruptions due to a faulty submarine cable. The outage impacted users nationwide, leading to criticism from lawmakers and the public. Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq expressed dissatisfaction with the government's response and demanded further explanations from the Ministry of Information Technology.

The repair of the affected cable was completed in early October, but the incident underscored Pakistan’s reliance on existing submarine cable systems. The new 2Africa cable system is expected to prevent such disruptions and bolster Pakistan’s connectivity capabilities.

With Meta, Vodafone, and six other partners backing the project, the 2Africa cable is anticipated to drive economic growth, facilitate technological advancements, and position Pakistan as a key digital hub in the region.

This strategic development reflects PTA’s commitment to enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure and meeting the growing demand for high-speed internet services.