Most fixed broadband operators in Pakistan met the required quality standards during the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting broadly stable internet services across major urban centres, according to a new survey released by PTA. The assessment provides an overview of network performance under the Fixed Broadband Quality of Service Regulations, 2022, and highlights areas of both compliance and improvement within the country’s fixed broadband ecosystem.
The Fixed Broadband Quality of Service Survey evaluated 50 broadband service providers operating across 29 cities. The review covered a defined monitoring period from October 1 to December 20, 2025, and measured operator performance against multiple technical benchmarks. These included network availability at core and access nodes, latency on domestic and international routes, bandwidth utilisation, jitter levels, and overall data throughput for end users. The objective of the survey was to ensure that fixed broadband services remain reliable, consistent, and aligned with regulatory requirements set to protect consumer interests.
According to the findings, operators serving large metropolitan areas such as Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Faisalabad generally demonstrated strong compliance with the prescribed benchmarks. Many service providers met or exceeded standards for network reliability and data throughput, with several achieving full compliance within their respective service areas during the review period. This performance indicates a relatively stable broadband experience for users in major cities, where demand for fixed internet connectivity continues to rise due to increased reliance on digital services, remote work, and online education.
While overall compliance levels were reported as strong, PTA identified performance gaps among a limited number of operators. Network availability at both core and access nodes fell below the required thresholds for some providers, including Classic Broadband, Net Cloud Telecom, and Khan Telecommunications. Reduced availability at these network points can affect service continuity, particularly during peak usage hours or in areas with limited redundancy.
The regulator also observed higher than permitted latency on certain domestic and international routes for select operators. These delays were attributed to routing inefficiencies and capacity constraints, which can negatively impact applications that rely on real time data transmission. In addition, congestion during peak usage periods was noted for some networks due to high bandwidth utilisation, suggesting the need for capacity expansion to keep pace with growing subscriber demand.
Instances of elevated jitter were also recorded for a small number of operators. Higher jitter levels can disrupt real time services such as video conferencing, voice over IP calls, and online gaming, affecting overall user experience. Despite these issues, PTA noted that all surveyed operators met the minimum download and upload throughput requirements defined under the current regulations, ensuring baseline performance levels for fixed broadband users nationwide.
Following the survey results, PTA has directed non compliant operators to undertake corrective measures. These include network optimisation, infrastructure upgrades, and capacity enhancements to address identified shortcomings. The authority stated that it will continue regular monitoring and enforcement actions to ensure sustained compliance with quality standards and to encourage ongoing improvements in service delivery.
PTA emphasized that consistent oversight of fixed broadband quality is essential as Pakistan’s digital economy expands. With increasing dependence on stable and high quality internet connectivity, the regulator reiterated its commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and supporting the development of a reliable and competitive fixed broadband market across the country.
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