Internet users across Pakistan could face slow connectivity and possible service disruptions on January 15, as repair work has been scheduled on one of the country’s major international submarine internet cables.
According to details, leading internet service provider Nayatel has informed its customers that the maintenance activity will begin at around 2 pm on January 15 and may last for up to eight hours. During this period, users may experience significantly reduced internet speeds, increased latency, and in some areas, temporary service outages.
Nayatel notified users via email that the repair work is being carried out on an international submarine cable and is unavoidable. However, the company did not disclose the exact geographical location of the cable or the technical nature of the fault.
The service provider stated that during the maintenance period, data traffic will be rerouted through alternative paths. Experts say that while backup routes usually prevent a complete internet shutdown, their limited capacity often results in slower speeds and unstable connections.
Submarine cables play a critical role in Pakistan’s international data traffic and serve as the backbone of the country’s internet infrastructure. Essential online activities such as web browsing, video streaming, social media usage, online education, freelancing, and digital businesses heavily depend on these undersea cables. Even repair work on a single major cable can impact internet quality nationwide.
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It is worth recalling that earlier this month, on January 1, 2026, Pakistan experienced widespread internet slowdowns and outages across the country. At that time, users faced connectivity issues for more than two days, which were attributed to a technical fault at an upstream internet provider.
Following that incident, concerns were raised once again over Pakistan’s limited alternative internet infrastructure and reliance on a small number of international submarine cables.
