The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has attributed the slowdown of Meta platforms, such as Facebook and WhatsApp, to the large number of users. This explanation was presented by PTA in response to disruptions in internet services that have notably impacted social media applications.
In a report submitted to Parliament, PTA detailed that recent internet issues have disproportionately affected Meta applications like Facebook and WhatsApp compared to other social media networks. The authority stated that the large user base on these platforms, especially during peak hours, contributes to the slow service.
According to PTA, Facebook has approximately 50 million users in Pakistan, while WhatsApp remains the most widely used real-time application in the country. This high volume of users is seen as a primary factor contributing to the service delays.
In response to the slower internet speeds, PTA informed users that they should expect slower connectivity during peak hours. Telecom operators were instructed to reroute traffic to alternative routes to manage the load effectively.
PTA further clarified that in August, it received several complaints about disruptions in WhatsApp services. The agency then instructed telecom operators to address these issues promptly, resulting in reported improvements by early September.
The authority added that the situation is expected to fully normalize once repairs are completed on the SMW-4 submarine cable, which was also contributing to the connectivity issues.
