by A newly released Quality of Service (QoS) survey by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reveals significant shortcomings among fixed‑line broadband providers in the second quarter of 2025. Conducted across 45 broadband operators in 22 major cities including AJK and Gilgit‑Baltistan, the latest findings highlight persistent performance issues that impact customer experience.
🔍 Survey Overview & Key Findings
✅ Network Availability, Latency & Jitter: Generally Compliant
Most service providers were found compliant with core KPIs such as:
- Network availability (both core and access nodes)
- Local network latency
- Jitter (signal delay variance)
- Broadband Internet Companies Fail to Satisfy in Latest PTA Survey.
⚠️ Bandwidth Utilization: Systemic Issues Detected
However, the biggest concern remains bandwidth utilization, particularly during peak hours. Multiple operators exceeded the usage threshold, causing slower speeds and diminished performance for consumers.
📉 No Real Improvement Over Time
These bandwidth problems are not new—similar issues were observed in prior PTA surveys for 2024 (Q1–Q4). Operators like PTCL, CyberNet, Nayatel, and others continued to show non-compliance across regions such as Gwadar, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Karachi
🌍 Regional Disparities & Persistent Gaps
- Gwadar stood out with major deficiencies: PTCL and NTC posted compliance rates as low as 33–
- Areas such as Islamabad, Faisalabad, Abbottabad, and Karachi saw sluggish speeds, high jitter, and elevated latency due to overutilized bandwidth. Operators failed to show marked improvements from Q1 to Q2.
🧑💼 What PTA Is Doing
Authorities have taken steps to notify non-compliant operators, providing detailed performance data and asking them to take corrective action. Plans include:
- Infrastructure upgrades
- Better traffic management systems
- Clearer accountability mechanisms and enforcement
Still, visible progress remains limited.
💬 Real Users Speak: Frustration Mounts
Reddit discussions reflect public dissatisfaction:
“have a 30 Mbps transworld connection, getting 10 Mbps download… massive ping spikes… Online multiplayer gaming is like watching a PowerPoint presentation.”
“As a Storm Fiber user… at night after 11 pm (even speedtest.net doesn’t load)… high latency on every multiplayer game for the past 2 weeks.”
“I have been using StormFiber… your connection is currently facing a fiber disconnection… TAT is 24 hours.”
The common themes: slowdowns, high latency, and poor customer support.
🚀 Why It Matters
Consistent, high-quality internet is critical for:
- Remote work, e-learning & business operations
- Streaming, conferencing, and online gaming
- Digital inclusion in cities and remote areas alike
Persistent bandwidth misuse and network inefficiencies undermine the digital growth of Pakistan.
📌 What Needs to Change
Based on survey findings and user feedback:
| Improvement Area | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Bandwidth Management | Limit peak-hour congestion; keep utilization below 80% |
| Infrastructure Investment | Upgrade capacity in underserved and urban areas |
| Regulatory Enforcement | PTA should apply penalties and monitor follow-up compliance |
| Transparent Reporting | Publish city and operator-wise performance for public scrutiny |
| Customer Support Enhancement | Improve response time, ticket resolution, and technical support |
✅ Final Thoughts
While PTA surveys confirm that fixed-line broadband providers largely meet basic standards (like uptime and latency), the continued failure in managing bandwidth effectively is eroding user trust. Despite repeated warnings, many operators have shown minimal improvement quarter after quarter.
To ensure a reliable and equitable internet landscape for all, urgent emphasis is needed on infrastructure enhancements, enforcement of performance benchmarks, and accessible, integrated consumer support systems.
