Internet

Internet access in Pakistan has expanded rapidly, with a recent survey indicating that nearly 70% of the population now has online connectivity. The surge reflects a combination of falling data costs, wider smartphone adoption, and continued investment in telecom infrastructure. Increased internet penetration is reshaping consumer behavior, accelerating digital payments, e-commerce, and online education, while also opening new avenues for businesses and policymakers. However, gaps persist between urban and rural regions, as well as in digital literacy.

Internet connectivity across several Asian markets has been severely disrupted following a major outage in subsea cable networks, the critical infrastructure that carries the majority of the world’s digital traffic. The disruption has slowed broadband services, impacted businesses dependent on cloud platforms, and raised concerns about the region’s heavy reliance on undersea cables for digital communication.

Starlink, the satellite-based internet service by SpaceX, has officially launched in India, offering high-speed connectivity to regions with limited broadband infrastructure. Targeting both urban and rural users, the service promises download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 250 Mbps and low latency, positioning itself as a viable alternative to traditional ISPs. With pricing set competitively and availability expanding across multiple states, Starlink aims to bridge the digital divide while addressing the growing demand for reliable internet.