Internet and voice data service providers in Pakistan using undersea fibre optic infrastructure operated by the Transworld Associates (TWA) can now enhance their bandwidth capacity by up to four times.

This will be enabled by a new sub-sea fibre optic cable with a capacity of 24 terabits per second (Tbps) that became operational on Thursday.

The South-East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe (SEA-ME-WE)-5 cable has been constructed by a consortium of 16 companies from countries in the region, including TWA from Pakistan. The cable runs through 20,000 kms, beginning at Singapore in South-East Asia and ending at Marseille in Western Europe.

Earlier, TWA was operating a 1,254-km-long TW-1 cable from Karachi to Oman and United Arab Emirates.

TWA and Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) are the only two companies with landing rights in Pakistan for internet and voice data traffic. PTCL customers get these services through SEA-ME-WE 3 and 4 cables operated by the company.

A press statement issued by the TWA on Thursday stated that the cable’s advanced 100 gbps technology was equipped with latest technology. “It’s main endpoints are carrier-neutral, open Points-of-Presence (PoPs) and not Cable Landing Stations (CLS),” it said.

Read more: Coming Soon: Free Public Wi-Fi

The statement quoted SEA-ME-WE 5 Consortium Management Committee chairperson Linette Lee and said, “the completion of the project is a landmark system upgrade for all data users worldwide. This system facilitates a new age of digital transformation and innovation, catalyzing greater economic activities, trade and growth across three continents.”

TWA marketing manager Bilal Mughal told TR Pakistan that it would be a matter of days before end users could get enhanced speeds after ISPs and cellular services providers request bandwidth upgrades.

Other 15 members of the SEA-ME-WE 5 Consortium are: Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited, China Mobile International, China Telecom Global, China United Network Communications Group Company Limited, Djibouti Telecom, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, Myanmar Post and Telecom, Ooredoo, Orange, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International, Saudi Telecom Company, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, Sparkle, Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, Telecom Egypt, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, TeleYemen, and Turk Telekom International.

This piece first appeared on MIT Technology Review Pakistan and has been reproduced with permission.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...