Karachi, Pakistan – In a major step toward enhancing its digital infrastructure, Pakistan has successfully landed the ultra-high-capacity Africa-1 submarine cable at PTCL’s Sea View Beach landing site in Karachi. This milestone marks a significant leap in the country’s global digital connectivity, promising faster internet speeds, reduced latency, and improved telecommunications networks.
Pakistan Expands Global Digital Footprint
The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has joined the Africa-1 cable system consortium, reinforcing its role in the international telecom landscape. This strategic move will link Pakistan to key digital hubs across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, providing seamless connectivity for businesses and consumers.
Spanning 10,000 kilometers, the Africa-1 submarine cable connects Pakistan with major locations including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, France, Kenya, and Djibouti. The deployment of cutting-edge technology will significantly boost Pakistan’s internet speeds and reliability, reinforcing its position in the global telecom industry.
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PTCL’s Commitment to a Digital Future
Speaking at the Africa-1 Cable landing event, Syed Muhammad Shoaib, Group VP International Business at PTCL, highlighted the strategic importance of this project:
“This marks PTCL’s fifth submarine cable, further strengthening Pakistan’s link with global digital hubs. The project plays a crucial role in achieving the ‘Digital Pakistan 2030’ vision and expanding our global presence.”
The project is backed by leading global telecom companies, including Etisalat UAE, Mobily, G42 Telecom, Telecom Egypt, Zain Oman International (ZOI), Algérie Télécom, and TeleYemen.
Enhanced Internet Speeds & Seamless Connectivity
Emphasizing the benefits of the new cable, Mudassir Mushtaq, Group VP for Service Assurance and Technology Core Operations at PTCL, stated:
“This cable is a critical part of our expansion plan. It will not only increase our submarine cable network capacity but also provide redundancy to ensure uninterrupted connectivity. Collaborations with content providers will further enhance internet speeds and minimize latency.”
Cutting-Edge Technology Driving the Project
Alcatel Submarine Networks, a key partner in the project, played a major role in deploying the 14.5km pre-laid shore-end cable. Mark Corrigan, Director at Alcatel Submarine Networks, explained:
“The cable will be floated to the beach, pulled across 500 meters of the shore, and connected to PTCL’s LAN network. This ensures a smooth integration into Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.”
A Game-Changer for Pakistan’s Digital Economy
With completion expected by early 2026, the Africa-1 cable system is set to transform Pakistan’s digital landscape. The enhanced connectivity will benefit businesses, content creators, and telecom operators, paving the way for a more reliable and high-speed digital infrastructure.
By leading this initiative, PTCL is positioning Pakistan as a key regional digital hub, strengthening its global presence in the telecom sector. This development is not just a technological upgrade—it signals a new era of innovation, connectivity, and economic growth.
As Pakistan continues its digital transformation, the landing of Africa-1 marks a pivotal moment, ensuring a faster, smarter, and more connected future for the nation.
