Extremely slow internet may threaten survival of e-commerce: ISPs

The Internet Server Providers (ISPs) Association has stated that the internet speed in Pakistan has decreased by 30 to 40 per cent, which may threaten the survival of e-commerce and other digital platforms.

“The government’s decision to increase security and surveillance has had the unintended consequence of reducing internet speeds by 30 to 40 percent over the past few weeks. Internet slowdowns have created chaos for online and Internet-dependent businesses,, particularly affecting call centres, e-commerce professionals, the online working class, and electronic businesses,” ISPs wrote in a statement.

“The sectors that underpin Pakistan’s burgeoning digital economy are now grappling with the challenge of staying afloat. The threat of slow internet speeds looms large, endangering the survival of these businesses. The situation has become so dire that many entrepreneurs contemplate relocating their operations to other countries. If this trend persists, we could witness a significant exodus of businesses from Pakistan,” ISPs added.

The government’s experimental implementation of the firewall has reduced the speed of social media in Pakistan and raised fears about the future of Internet-based businesses in the country.

Internet services have been severely affected in the country for several days now, and people connected with online businesses and domestic users have started to suspect that the internet is not working. Whether connecting on WhatsApp, shopping online, uploading a photo, or watching a video, internet speed has become a topic of discussion across the country.