Network congestion occurs when there is too much traffic on a network, causing delays and slowdowns. This can happen during peak hours, when many people are using the internet at the same time, or during special events, such as sports matches, festivals, or holidays. Network congestion can also be caused by external factors, such as natural disasters, power outages, or cyberattacks, that disrupt the normal functioning of the network. Network congestion can affect both fixed and mobile internet connections, depending on the capacity and resilience of the network.

How to improve your internet connection speed in Pakistan?

Internet speed is a crucial factor for many online activities, such as streaming, gaming, working, and learning. However, many internet users in Pakistan face the problem of slow and unreliable internet connections. In this blog post, we will explore some of the reasons why internet is slow in Pakistan, and what you can do to improve your internet speed at home or office.

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Why is internet slow in Pakistan?

There are many factors that affect internet speed in Pakistan, such as:

Connection type:

Pakistan has a variety of internet connection types, such as fibre, cable, DSL, wireless, and satellite. However, not all of them are equally fast and reliable. According to Speedtest Global Index, Pakistan ranks 118th out of 139 countries in fixed broadband speed, and 97th out of 139 countries in mobile speed, as of November 2023. The average fixed broadband speed in Pakistan is 11.38 Mbps, while the average mobile speed is 18.64 Mbps. These speeds are far below the global averages of 102.22 Mbps and 54.74 Mbps, respectively.

ISP quality:

The quality of internet service providers (ISPs) in Pakistan also varies widely. Some ISPs offer faster and more consistent speeds than others, depending on their network infrastructure, coverage, and customer service. According to DB-IP, there are 116 ISPs in Pakistan, but only a few of them have a significant market share. Some of the major ISPs in Pakistan are PTCL, StormFiber, Nayatel, Transworld, Wateen, Wi-Tribe, Zong, Jazz, and Telenor. However, not all of them are available in every city or area, and some of them may have data caps, throttling, or other limitations that affect internet speed.

Network congestion:

WiFi issues:

WiFi issues are another common cause of slow internet speed in Pakistan. WiFi issues can arise from various factors, such as:

1. Router location: The location of your router can affect the strength and quality of your WiFi signal. If your router is too far away from your device, or if there are walls, furniture, or other obstacles between them, your WiFi signal may be weak or unstable. To improve your WiFi signal, you should place your router in a central and elevated location, away from any sources of interference, such as microwaves, cordless phones, or other electronic devices.
2. Interference: Interference is anything that disrupts or degrades your WiFi signal, such as other WiFi networks, Bluetooth devices, or radio waves. Interference can cause your WiFi signal to drop, fluctuate, or slow down. To reduce interference, you should use a WiFi channel that is less crowded or switch to a different frequency band, such as 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz, if your router and device support it.
3. Neighbours: Your neighbours can also affect your WiFi speed, especially if they are using the same WiFi channel or frequency band as you. This can create a WiFi congestion, where multiple WiFi networks compete for the same bandwidth. To avoid WiFi congestion, you should change your WiFi channel or frequency band, or use a WiFi analyzer app to find the best channel or band for your network.
4. Multiple devices: When using multiple devices via WiFi, this will impact the speed you get at each device. This is because your router has a limited amount of bandwidth to distribute among all the connected devices. If you have too many devices using WiFi at the same time, your router may not be able to handle the demand, resulting in slower speeds for each device. To improve your WiFi speed, you should limit the number of devices using WiFi at the same time, or prioritize the devices that need more bandwidth, such as streaming or gaming devices.

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What can you do to improve your internet speed in Pakistan?

There are several steps you can take to improve your internet speed in Pakistan, such as:

1. Speed test:

The first step to improve your internet speed is to measure it. You can use a speed test tool, such as Speedtest by Ookla, to check your current internet speed, latency, and jitter. This will help you identify if your internet speed is lower than what your ISP promises, or if there are any issues with your connection. You can also compare your speed with other users in your area or country, to see how your ISP performs relative to others.

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2. Fix your router:

Your router is the device that connects your home or office network to the internet. If your router is outdated, inefficient, or malfunctioning, it can affect your internet speed. To fix your router, you should:

3. Update your router firmware:

Your router firmware is the software that controls your router’s functions and settings. Updating your router firmware can improve your router’s performance, security, and compatibility with new devices and standards. You can check your router’s website or app for any firmware updates, and follow the instructions to install them.

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4. Reset your router:

Resetting your router can clear any temporary issues or glitches that may be slowing down your internet speed. You can reset your router by unplugging it from the power source, waiting for a few seconds, and plugging it back in. You can also use the reset button on your router, if it has one, to restore it to its factory settings. However, this will erase any custom settings or passwords you have set up, so you will need to reconfigure them afterwards.

5. Replace your router:

If your router is too old, damaged, or incompatible with your internet connection type or speed, you may need to replace it with a newer and better model. You can check your router’s specifications and compare them with your internet plan and devices, to see if your router meets your needs. You can also consult your ISP or a tech expert for advice on choosing the best router for your network.

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6. Upgrade to fiber:

Fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable type of internet connection available in Pakistan. Fiber internet uses thin strands of glass or plastic to transmit data using light, instead of using copper wires or radio waves. Fiber internet can offer speeds up to 1 Gbps or more, with low latency and high stability. However, fiber internet is not widely available in Pakistan, as it requires a lot of infrastructure and investment to install and maintain. According to Speedtest by Ookla, only 11 cities in Pakistan have fiber internet coverage, as of November 2023. If you live in one of these cities, and you can afford it, you should consider upgrading to fiber internet, as it will significantly improve your internet speed and experience.

7. Change your location:

Your location can also affect your internet speed, especially if you are using a mobile or wireless connection. Mobile and wireless internet rely on signals from towers or satellites, which can vary in strength and quality depending on your distance and direction from them. If you are too far away from a tower or satellite, or if there are buildings, trees, or mountains blocking the signal, your internet speed may be slow or unstable. To improve your internet speed, you should move closer to a tower or satellite, or find a spot with a clear line of sight to them. You can also use a signal booster or extender to amplify the signal in your area.

8. Check your plan:

Your internet plan is the package of services and features that your ISP offers you, such as speed, data, price, and contract. Your internet plan can limit your internet speed, depending on the speed cap, data cap, or throttling policy that your ISP imposes. A speed cap is the maximum speed that your ISP allows you to access, regardless of your connection type or device. A data cap is the maximum amount of data that you can use in a given period, such as a month or a day. A throttling policy is the practice of slowing down your internet speed after you reach a certain threshold of data usage or during peak hours. To improve your internet speed, you should check your internet plan and see if it matches your needs and expectations. You can also contact your ISP and ask for a higher speed, more data, or a different plan that suits you better.

9. Optimize your device:

Your device is the computer, smartphone, tablet, or other gadget that you use to access the internet. Your device can affect your internet speed, depending on its hardware, software, and settings. To optimize your device, you should:

A. Update your device software: Your device software is the operating system and applications that run on your device. Updating your device software can improve your device’s performance, security, and compatibility with new internet standards and protocols. You can check your device’s settings or app store for any software updates, and follow the instructions to install them.

B. Scan your device for malware or viruses: Malware or viruses are malicious programs that can infect your device and harm its functionality or security. Malware or viruses can also slow down the internet.

D. Reduce your latency: Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the server and back. High latency can cause delays and lag in your internet activities, such as online gaming, video conferencing, or streaming. You can reduce your latency by using a wired connection instead of a wireless one, as wireless connections are more prone to interference and signal loss. You can also use a VPN or a proxy server to bypass any network congestion or routing issues that may increase your latency. However, you should choose a VPN or a proxy server that is close to your location and has a good reputation, as some of them may slow down your internet speed or compromise your security.

10. Close any background applications consuming bandwidth:

Background applications are any programs or processes that run on your device without your direct interaction, such as updates, downloads, backups, or antivirus scans. Some background applications can consume a lot of bandwidth, which can affect your internet speed. You can close any background applications that you are not using or that are not essential for your device’s functionality. You can also schedule any bandwidth-intensive tasks, such as updates or backups, for off-peak hours, when the internet traffic is lower and the speed is higher.

11. Avoid data cap restrictions:

Data cap restrictions are any limits that your ISP imposes on the amount of data that you can use in a given period, such as a month or a day. Data cap restrictions can affect your internet speed, as your ISP may slow down your internet speed or charge you extra fees once you reach or exceed your data limit. You can avoid data cap restrictions by choosing an internet plan that has a high or unlimited data allowance, or by monitoring and managing your data usage. You can use a data usage tracker app or tool to check how much data you have used and how much you have left. You can also reduce your data usage by compressing or optimizing your files, adjusting your video quality, or using offline modes for some applications.

12. Minimize Wi-Fi signal interference:

Wi-Fi signal interference is anything that disrupts or degrades your Wi-Fi signal, such as other Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, or radio waves. Wi-Fi signal interference can cause your Wi-Fi signal to drop, fluctuate, or slow down. You can minimize Wi-Fi signal interference by adjusting your frequency band or channel, or by using a Wi-Fi repeater or extender.

13. Adjust your frequency band or channel:

Your Wi-Fi frequency band or channel is the range of radio frequencies that your Wi-Fi network uses to communicate with your devices. There are two main frequency bands for Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band is more common and compatible, but it is also more crowded and prone to interference. The 5 GHz band is less common and compatible, but it is also less crowded and prone to interference. You can adjust your frequency band or channel by accessing your router’s settings and choosing the best option for your network. You can also use a Wi-Fi analyzer app or tool to find the least congested frequency band or channel for your network.

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14. Use a Wi-Fi repeater or extender:

A Wi-Fi repeater or extender is a device that amplifies or extends your Wi-Fi signal to cover a larger area or to reach areas that are out of range or have poor signal. You can use a Wi-Fi repeater or extender to improve your Wi-Fi signal in areas that are too far from your router or that have obstacles or interference. You can also use an old router as a Wi-Fi repeater or extender, by configuring it to act as a wireless access point or a wireless bridge.

15. Upgrade your wiring or infrastructure:

Your wiring or infrastructure is the physical medium that connects your device to your router and your router to the internet. Your wiring or infrastructure can affect your internet speed, depending on its quality, age, and condition. Poor wiring or infrastructure can cause signal loss, noise, or damage, which can reduce your internet speed. You can upgrade your wiring or infrastructure by using high-quality cables, connectors, and splitters, or by replacing any damaged or outdated components. You can also contact your ISP or a professional technician to inspect and improve your wiring or infrastructure.

16. Replace your outdated devices:

Your devices are the computers, smartphones, tablets, or other gadgets that you use to access the internet. Your devices can affect your internet speed, depending on their hardware, software, and settings. Outdated devices can have low performance, compatibility, or security, which can slow down your internet speed. You can replace your outdated devices with newer and better models, or by upgrading or updating their components, such as memory, processor, or operating system. You can also check your device’s specifications and compare them with your internet plan and router, to see if your device meets your needs and expectations.

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17. Avoid network congestion:

Network congestion occurs when there is too much traffic on a network, causing delays and slowdowns. This can happen during peak hours, when many people are using the internet at the same time, or during special events, such as sports matches, festivals, or holidays. Network congestion can affect both fixed and mobile internet connections, depending on the capacity and resilience of the network. You can avoid network congestion by using the internet at off-peak hours, when the internet traffic is lower and the speed is higher. You can also use a VPN or a proxy server to bypass any network congestion or routing issues that may increase your latency. However, you should choose a VPN or a proxy server that is close to your location and has a good reputation, as some of them may slow down your internet speed or compromise your security.

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