The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has released the findings of its 2024 Quality of Service (QoS) survey for fixed-line broadband services, offering a detailed assessment of internet performance across 26 major cities, including regions in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Conducted during the third and fourth quarters of 2024, the survey reflects PTA’s continued commitment to enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure and ensuring reliable internet access for users nationwide.
The core objective of the QoS survey was to evaluate the performance of Broadband Service Providers (BSPs) in delivering high-quality and uninterrupted internet services. Fifteen different BSPs were evaluated in 11 major cities during the fourth quarter, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Hyderabad. The assessment was based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) outlined in the Fixed-line Broadband Regulations 2022.
Among the evaluated KPIs were network availability at core and access nodes, local and international network latency, jitter (signal variation), and bandwidth utilization. PTA’s results showed that most BSPs performed well on metrics like network availability, latency, and jitter. Operators such as PTCL, Telecard, and Superior Connections achieved a full 100% compliance rate in cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Faisalabad.
However, bandwidth utilization emerged as a key area of concern. Several BSPs failed to meet the required standard of keeping bandwidth usage below 80%, which is essential to avoid congestion and ensure smooth internet performance, especially during peak hours. This issue was particularly noticeable in areas such as Gwadar and Muzaffarabad, where providers struggled to meet compliance benchmarks. For instance, PTCL and NTC in Gwadar showed high levels of latency and jitter, leading to poor service quality.
In Lahore, Redtone fell short on international latency standards, recording a delay of over 318 milliseconds. Meanwhile, in Islamabad, Cybernet exceeded the acceptable bandwidth utilization limit, scoring 83.02%, above PTA’s 80% target. These overshoots in bandwidth usage can lead to slower internet speeds, negatively impacting user experience.
In response to the underperformance, PTA has directed the respective operators to implement corrective measures. The authority emphasized that efficient bandwidth management is critical to maintaining consistent service quality and avoiding bottlenecks in network traffic.
Despite these issues, the broader results reflect a trend of improvement. Many cities saw their local BSPs fully complying with PTA’s benchmarks, highlighting the positive impact of regulatory oversight and performance tracking. PTA’s ongoing monitoring and regular surveys play a crucial role in identifying service gaps and enforcing compliance, particularly in underserved and remote regions.
As the reliance on digital platforms continues to grow, PTA’s focus on service quality remains essential. High-speed, reliable internet is not just a convenience but a necessity for households, businesses, and public institutions alike. While the survey findings are encouraging in several areas, the highlighted bandwidth challenges signal that more work remains to be done.
PTA has committed to maintaining regular oversight and engaging service providers to raise the bar on internet quality, ensuring that every Pakistani, regardless of location, has access to dependable digital connectivity.
