ISLAMABAD:
The surge in Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) usage during internet disruptions has been identified as a major factor contributing to slow internet speeds in Pakistan, a report by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said on Wednesday.
The report says that a significant surge in the use of VPNs during internet disruptions played a substantial role in further slowing down internet services.
The increasing reliance on VPNs has put additional pressure on Pakistan’s internet infrastructure, the report notes. The surge bypasses local content delivery networks (CDNs), which account for 70% of internet delivery in the country, causing inefficiencies.
According to the findings, VPNs redirect traffic to international servers, bypassing local CDNs.
The process not only strains bandwidth but also causes economic losses due to increased reliance on foreign exchange. Each megabyte of data consumed via VPNs costs approximately $1, the report reveals.
The PTA’s investigation found that VPN bandwidth usage peaked at 634 Gbps in August, 597 Gbps in September, 815 Gbps in October and 378 Gbps in November.
Following improvements in December, VPN bandwidth usage stabilised at 437 Gbps.
The report stresses the need for a robust strategy to manage VPN usage and enhance local internet infrastructure to minimise economic and operational impacts.
In recent months, internet users in Pakistan have faced slow speeds, challenges downloading media on WhatsApp, and frequent connectivity disruptions.
Digital analysts attribute these issues to government testing of a “firewall” designed to monitor platforms and block specific content, such as images or videos of rallies shared on WhatsApp.
The government has stated that a “web management system” is being upgraded to enhance cybersecurity.
Pakistan was recently ranked highest globally in financial losses caused by internet and social media app outages and shutdowns last year, with a staggering cumulative impact of $1.62 billion.
Internet Speed
Pakistan ranked a dismal 100th out of 111 nations for mobile internet speed and 141st out of 158 for broadband in a recent OKLA Internet Speed Test report.
It was stated by Mohammad Yasin, Senior Advisor Emeritus at SDPI, during the Public-Private Dialogue hosted by Sustainable Development Policy Institute, said a press release.
“Sluggish speeds and frequent disruptions are taking a toll on businesses, education, healthcare, and governance,” he added.
