NA panel alarmed by poor internet

ISLAMABAD:

A parliamentary panel on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the deteriorating quality of internet services across Pakistan, lamenting that poor connectivity, slow internet speeds and repeated call failures are affecting users not only in remote areas but also in major urban centres, including Karachi.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, chaired by Syed Aminul Haque, was informed by the PTA that the country's available spectrum had increased from 274 MHz to 754 MHz following the 5G spectrum auction.

The regulator said the increase was expected to gradually improve internet services nationwide, while 5G had already been launched in 22 cities using existing telecom infrastructure.

Lawmakers observed that consumers continue to face sluggish internet speeds and frequent call connection failures despite multiple attempts.

PTA Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman said telecom operators had launched 5G services in 22 cities under the first phase of the rollout. He said no new infrastructure had yet been installed, explaining that operators were currently providing 5G services through existing mobile towers and network infrastructure.