Afghanistan’s citizens have complained recently about the decline in internet quality. They say that after the fiber optic shutdown, the speed of mobile data has also dropped. According to them, this disruption has affected their work, education, and businesses. At the same time, the internet blackout during specific hours in Herat has also increased concerns among city residents.
Several citizens told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that after the fiber optic shutdown, the speed and quality of mobile internet have also deteriorated, further fueling public concern.
Wahida Faizi, a resident of Kabul’s 15th district who runs an online sales business, said that internet speed in Kabul has dropped significantly, delaying her work. She added that even WhatsApp messages are not delivered on time, and she is unable to carry out her professional tasks properly and within deadlines. According to her, both Wi-Fi and mobile data are not functioning as they should. She emphasized that due to the fiber optic shutdown and poor internet services, her sales orders have sharply declined compared to the past.
This young woman said: “Most of our orders came from the provinces, but now they too no longer have access to an internet that was both cheap and fast. Some of the current orders I have cannot be processed on time because of internet issues.”
Faizi added that the fiber optic shutdown is expanding and may soon include Kabul. To prevent further financial loss, she has offered discounts and started selling her goods at lower prices so that if the internet service is completely cut off, her merchandise will not remain unsold. She explained: “Although this is a major financial loss for me, I have no other choice.”
Farid Ahmadi (pseudonym), a young journalist whose work has been disrupted by slow internet and Wi-Fi, said that the fiber optic shutdown has significantly affected all systems. He explained that, currently, neither Wi-Fi in Kabul functions properly nor does mobile internet meet people’s needs.
Ahmadi state: “Since the fiber optic internet was cut off, it has affected all connections. We have Wi-Fi in the office, but its speed is extremely low. Opening any website takes time, and pages do not load quickly.”
Meanwhile, the internet blackout during specific hours in Herat has also sparked concerns among residents.
Tabassum (pseudonym), a resident of Herat, said that every night from a certain time onward, internet access is cut off, disrupting daily activities, communications, and even work and education. She added that the disruption is not limited to complete shutdowns; mobile internet speed has also dropped sharply, making it practically useless.
This resident of Herat said: “What troubles us most is why such restrictions are imposed only in Herat and specifically during certain night hours. This unanswered question, along with increasing restrictions, has deepened public concerns that internet access may become even more restricted in the future.”
Bahar Sadat, another student in Kabul, said that the Taliban’s recent time-based restrictions in Herat have increased her worries. This young woman stressed, “None of the Taliban’s actions are predictable. I fear the silence and blackout of my country. The process that began in Balkh and has now reached Kabul — although currently limited to the fiber optic shutdown — has also brought very poor mobile internet quality.”
Sadat added, “It is unclear whether a change is coming or whether a war is underway; the Taliban’s policies and actions are unpredictable. Perhaps that is why they want to shut everything down.”
This student explained: “The internet has become extremely poor. Last night, between 9 and 12, I struggled to complete only three of my homework assignments, and even those were incomplete. Then the electricity went out, and I could not continue my lessons or check university emails. The next day, I realized I had also missed one of my webinars.”
Last week, the Taliban began cutting off fiber optic internet in Balkh province as a measure to prevent “immoralities,” and later expanded the restriction to several other provinces. The group claims the purpose of this move is to combat “immoralities.”
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
قطع فایبر نوری و افت سرعت انترنت: تاثیرات گسترده بر زندهگی و کسبوکارهای مردم
