PTA QoS Survey Q4 2025 Reveals Broadband Network Issues in Pakistan

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has released its Quality of Service survey for fixed broadband services covering the fourth quarter of 2025. The findings show a clear gap between basic internet speed delivery and overall service quality.

While all surveyed operators met the minimum speed benchmarks set by PTA, serious concerns were raised about network availability, latency, jitter, and performance during peak hours. These issues directly affect video calls, online meetings, cloud work, gaming, and real time digital services.

This report is not just a technical review. It reflects the real experience of broadband users across Pakistan and sends a strong message to operators about network upgrades, reliability, and accountability.

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Understanding the PTA QoS Survey Q4 2025

What is the QoS Survey

The Quality of Service survey is a regulatory tool used by PTA to measure how well telecom operators meet defined service standards. It focuses on real network behavior instead of advertised claims.

The Q4 2025 survey reviewed fixed broadband networks across multiple operators using standardized KPIs.

Scope of the Survey

The survey assessed broadband performance in areas including:

• Core and access network availability

• Local and international latency

• Jitter levels

• Bandwidth utilization

• Data throughput speeds

The goal was to evaluate both technical compliance and real user experience.

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Key Findings at a Glance

Minimum Speed Benchmarks Were Met

All surveyed operators successfully met the required throughput standards:

• Minimum download speed of 4 Mbps

• Minimum upload speed of 2 Mbps

This confirms that basic internet access is available across networks.

Quality and Reliability Remain Weak

Despite meeting speed targets, many networks struggled with:

• Frequent disconnections

• High latency for local and international traffic

• Excessive jitter affecting real time applications

• Congestion during peak hours

These issues reduce service reliability and consistency.

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Network Availability Issues Across Operators

Core Node Availability Problems

Several operators failed to meet the required thresholds for core network availability.

Affected operators include:

• Classic Broadband

• Net Cloud Telecom

• Khan Telecommunications

Low core node availability increases the risk of service outages and wide scale disruptions.

Access Node Availability Concerns

At the access level, which directly connects users to the network, non compliance was observed in:

• Classic Broadband

• Net Cloud Telecom

This leads to frequent disconnections, downtime, and unstable user sessions.

Example

Users may experience sudden internet drops during work hours or repeated reconnections while streaming or browsing.

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Latency Issues Impacting Real Time Usage

Local Latency Findings

High local latency was observed in:

• Cyber Internet Services

• Air Touch Wireless

Local latency affects services hosted within Pakistan.

Impact on Users

• Slow website loading

• Poor VoIP call quality

• Delays in local cloud applications

International Latency Challenges

Several operators exceeded international latency benchmarks:

• Global Connect Synergy

• Nasstec Airnet

• Cyber Internet Services

• Wancom

This points to weaknesses in international routing, backbone design, and peering arrangements.

Example

Users accessing overseas websites or platforms like Zoom, Google Workspace, or AWS may face delays and lag.

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Jitter Levels Affecting Voice and Video

Operators with High Jitter

Jitter levels above acceptable limits were recorded for:

• PTCL

• Global Xperts

• Nasstec Airnet

Jitter causes uneven packet delivery, which harms real time communication.

User Experience Impact

• Video calls freezing or breaking

• Audio distortion during meetings

• Online gaming lag spikes

Even with good speed, high jitter makes real time services unreliable.

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Bandwidth Utilization and Peak Hour Congestion

General Utilization Levels

Most networks reported average bandwidth utilization below 80 percent. On paper, this suggests adequate capacity.

Peak Hour Reality

During busy hours, congestion and slow speeds were still observed across several networks.

Why This Matters

Peak hours reflect actual demand. Poor performance during these times shows weak traffic management and insufficient capacity planning.

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Data Throughput Performance

A Positive Note

All surveyed operators met PTA throughput standards:

• Download speeds at or above 4 Mbps

• Upload speeds at or above 2 Mbps

This indicates that basic broadband access is stable at a minimum level.

The Hidden Issue

Speed alone does not define quality. Without low latency, low jitter, and strong availability, even compliant speeds fail to support modern digital use.

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PTA Directives to Broadband Operators

Capacity Expansion Orders

PTA has instructed operators to:

• Increase network capacity

• Reduce congestion during peak hours

• Improve traffic distribution

Routing and Backbone Optimization

Operators must:

• Optimize local and international routing

• Improve backbone design

• Strengthen peering arrangements

These steps are essential to reduce latency and packet delays.

Network Redundancy and Resilience

PTA emphasized:

• Better redundancy planning

• Stronger resilience in network design

• Infrastructure upgrades to reduce outages

Regulatory Action Warning

PTA clearly stated that continued non compliance will lead to regulatory action against operators.

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What This Means for Broadband Users

Transparency and Accountability

The survey reinforces PTA’s commitment to consumer protection. Public reporting creates pressure on operators to improve service quality.

Real User Impact

Users may notice:

• Basic speeds are available

• Reliability varies by operator

• Video calls and online meetings may still suffer

• Peak hour slowdowns remain common

The Bigger Picture

Pakistan’s digital economy depends on stable, low latency broadband. Remote work, online education, fintech, and cloud services require more than basic speed.

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Why Speed Alone Is No Longer Enough

Modern internet use is real time by default.

Examples include:

• Video conferencing

• Online gaming

• Cloud based tools

• Live streaming

• Remote collaboration

All these depend on latency, jitter, and availability more than raw speed numbers.

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The Need for Network Modernization

Investment Gaps

The report highlights the need for:

• Fiber expansion

• Modern routing equipment

• Smarter traffic management

• Better monitoring systems

Long Term Benefits

Upgrading networks will lead to:

• Better user experience

• Fewer complaints

• Stronger digital services

• Higher trust in broadband providers

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Conclusion

The PTA QoS Survey Q4 2025 sends a clear signal to Pakistan’s fixed broadband operators.

Basic speeds are no longer the benchmark of success. Reliability, low latency, minimal jitter, and consistent availability now define true broadband quality.

While users are receiving minimum speeds, the real challenge lies in network modernization and capacity planning. PTA’s firm stance on monitoring and regulatory action shows a shift toward stronger consumer protection.

For Pakistan to compete in a digital first world, broadband networks must move beyond compliance and focus on performance that users can feel every day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PTA QoS Survey

It is a regulatory assessment by PTA to measure the quality and reliability of telecom services using defined performance indicators.

Did operators meet minimum internet speed requirements

Yes. All surveyed fixed broadband operators met the minimum download and upload speed benchmarks.

What were the main problems found in the survey

Major issues included network availability, high latency, excessive jitter, and peak hour congestion.

Which services are most affected by latency and jitter

Video calls, online meetings, VoIP, gaming, and real time cloud applications are most affected.

Why is peak hour congestion important

It shows how networks perform under real demand, not just average conditions.

What actions has PTA ordered

PTA ordered capacity upgrades, routing optimization, stronger redundancy, and warned of regulatory action for non compliance.

How does this affect broadband users

Users may still face instability and delays despite acceptable speed levels, especially during busy hours.

Will this improve broadband quality in the future

If operators follow PTA directives and invest in upgrades, service quality should improve over time.