‘Cable fault’ triggers internet outage

Optic fiber repaired; internet services in northern, central regions restored

KARACHI:

Many people, including those whose bread and butter thrives on uninterrupted internet service, in the northern and central regions of Pakistan recently suffered massive internet outages due to a technical fault in the Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) optic fiber network.

“A cut in the optic fiber has been repaired,” Amir Pasha, head of cooperate communication PTCL, said. Internet services in northern and central regions have been restored.

“We regret any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience,” he added.

⚠️ Confirmed: A nation-scale internet disruption has been registered in #Pakistan; the incident affects multiple providers including PTCL, Nayatel and StormFiber with real-time network data showing connectivity at 38% of ordinary levels 📉

📰 Previously: https://t.co/mFBehYjlnY pic.twitter.com/YAHeV3cyNM

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) August 22, 2022

Nonetheless, the issue, however temporary or insignificant, hit where it hurt the most: freelancing and other forms of business ventures that thrive on a high-speed and quality internet service without any disruption. In a globalised world, the internet is no longer a luxury.

“The internet is one of the greatest inventions of all time,” said blogger and influencer Nouman Younus. It has changed our lives in so many ways and is making life easier for us. “We can communicate with people from anywhere in the world, share our thoughts, get inspired by other people's ideas, learn new things and much more.”

“Internet is an important service that sustains our digital age,” said Soban Khan, a first-year student of BS computer sciences. “Internet has been a source of information and communication globally. This connectivity enables people to communicate with each other across the globe.”

The internet was a large network of computers, according to Khan. It was also a network of networks, which were connected together in a web-like configuration. “The internet is made up of many other networks, each with its own purpose and function — some for hosting websites, others for government agencies and businesses, he said.

And then there are those who use it simply to connect with other people around the world.

The internet had been used for numerous purposes, said Nouman Younus. “Students can use the internet to access information and resources, as well as communicate with other classmates, he added.

“It is also used for social purposes. People use the internet to connect with others and share ideas that may not be shared offline, such as through social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter.”

People used the internet to watch videos about the subjects they were interested in, listen to music that matches their taste, play games or read books online, said Soban Khan.

“The internet has become an indispensable part of our life. It is used for entertainment, communication, education and work. It is also used for banking, shopping and healthcare as well as research.”

Read more: Heavy rains, floods cause internet outages in Pakistan

According to Nouman Younus, the internet revolutionised the way business was being done these days. “It has made it easier for people to start a business from home. If you have an idea, you do not need to wait until you get out of college or after graduating from college because there are many sites that can help you get started with your own business," he said, pointing out that this was the reason why we are seeing the young generation beginning to earn much earlier compared to previous generations.

“It has made it easier for people to find information about a product or service,” he said.

“This means that instead of having only one source of information, like magazines or newspapers – which sometimes don't cover everything – consumers now have access through various sources such as blogs and social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook,” he added.

“This allows them not just to learn more about something but also give feedback on their thoughts about what should happen next and the companies could improve their products on the basis of the feedback.”