3 min read
As heavy snowfall battered the hill station this week, the network and internet crisis that locals and visitors have long feared finally unfolded. Sources informed Techjuice that the major telecom operators consistently failed to provide reliable mobile coverage and internet connectivity in Murree at the peak of the snowfall season, a time when emergency communication and travel updates are most needed.
For many tourists and residents, what should have been a winter getaway turned into a communication blackout. Calls dropped midway, mobile data failed repeatedly, and internet speeds slowed to a crawl or disappeared entirely. Coverage was so weak in several pockets that simple messages could not be sent, let alone GPS navigation or emergency queries.
Snowfall combined with massive crowds appears to have pushed the already strained networks past their limits. Despite the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s own data showing persistent coverage gaps and weak 4G confidence in Murree even before this season, telcos seemingly did not fortify their infrastructure or plan for seasonal surges in demand.
The Punjab Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, has advised citizens to avoid traveling to Murree, stating that hotels are fully booked, snowfall is heavy, and the number of vehicles in the area has already exceeded the town’s capacity.
Sources informed that network failures have been widespread across Murree, Mansehra, and the other Northern areas, intensifying as snowfall increased. Roads have become slippery and visibility has dropped, while mobile signals remain weak or completely unavailable for long stretches. Tourists and residents are reportedly unable to make calls, access the internet, or even obtain basic emergency information, leaving many stranded and disconnected during critical travel conditions.
Why the Telecom Failure Matters
The breakdown raises a critical question: Why did network operators fail when their services were needed most?
Experts say hill districts like Murree have complex terrain and seasonal population surges that strain telecom infrastructure. However, this has been a recurring issue in Pakistan’s tourist and upland regions, with regulatory reports highlighting that major operators fall below minimum signal confidence benchmarks on key hill routes.
Despite demand spikes during snowfall and peak travel seasons, telcos appear to have under‑invested in infrastructure upgrades, additional towers, and seasonal bandwidth support. When thousands of visitors arrive simultaneously, the limited capacity quickly becomes overwhelmed, leaving large groups with unreliable or no service.
This is not unique to Pakistan’s hill stations; network performance often deteriorates under high load, but the lack of advance planning is drawing criticism from observers and users alike.
A Call for Better Preparedness
Connectivity failures during emergencies, be they weather disasters or mass travel events can have serious consequences. People need reliable access to emergency services, travel advisories, and loved ones. When networks fail, it doesn’t just mean dropped calls, it means lives, safety, and timely information are at risk.
As Murree copes with more snowfall, and with official advisories urging travelers to stay away, experts and consumers alike are calling for telcos and regulators to prioritize robust communications infrastructure, especially in areas prone to high seasonal demand.
