Web desk: A large number of mobile phone users in Pakistan have long complained about slow and poor-quality Pakistan’s mobile networks.
While the majority of the population relies on mobile phones for daily communication, concerns over network and call service issues have intensified.
A key reason behind these problems has now come to light.
Why are Pakistan’s mobile networks so slow?
A meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Federal Minister Amin Haque, was held recently.
During the session, the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee on the findings of the Quality of Service survey related to mobile networks.
According to the PTA Chairman, only 15 per cent of mobile towers across the country are fiberised.
The remaining towers are not connected to the fibre-optic network.
He explained that the lack of fiberization is the primary reason for slow mobile service and warned that introducing 5G services without proper fiberization could further worsen the situation.
Following the briefing, committee members requested more details about the fiberization plan and mobile network clusters.
Members also raised a large number of complaints regarding the quality of mobile services.
They noted that despite repeated assurances from IT officials that everything is functioning properly, mobile services have continued to deteriorate, particularly since the February 8 elections.
Committee members highlighted that issues such as faulty solar systems and battery problems at mobile towers are also major factors affecting service quality.
MP Sharmila Farooqi expressed surprise over the claims made in PTA’s fourth Quality of Service survey.
She said that she was unaware of where the survey had been conducted.
She demanded that the Quality of Service survey be presented to the committee members.
At the conclusion of the meeting, committee chairman Amin Haque said that members had lost confidence in the data and claims regarding mobile service quality.
“On paper, everything seems fine, but ground realities tell a different story,” he said.
He added that auctioning of the telecom spectrum could improve the situation and urged the Ministry of IT to take positive and immediate steps to address these issues.
