In Kabul, some officials of fiber-optic internet service providers have said that the Taliban have ordered the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) to limit or cut fiber-optic Wi-Fi internet access for the general public.
Officials of these companies said on Monday, May 11, that representatives of internet companies were invited to a special meeting by ATRA.
According to sources, during this meeting, companies were told that on the recommendation of the Taliban’s new Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology, Mullah Abdul Ahad Fazli, fiber-optic Wi-Fi services in residential areas would be limited or cut to reduce public access to the internet.
An official of an internet company said that if this decision is implemented, not only will thousands of families lose access to high-speed internet services, but the operations and revenues of internet companies will also face serious problems. He added that hundreds of employees could lose their jobs, causing heavy financial losses to companies.
Although the Taliban have not officially commented on these reports, some informed sources claim that the Taliban leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, appointed Mullah Abdul Ahad Fazli to further restrict internet access in the country.
This is not the first time fiber-optic internet restrictions have been reported. Previously, ATRA had issued a similar decision on 7th of Talo 1404, which negatively affected internet services and market operations.
Some officials of internet companies warn that if this decision is implemented, the general public will be deprived of high-speed internet, which will have broad negative effects on commerce, education, and daily communications.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
