Afghanistan experienced a second consecutive day without internet and mobile phone services as the Taliban authorities disrupted the fiber optic network. The government had previously initiated the shutdown of high-speed internet connections in select provinces to curb perceived “vices” under the directive of the secretive supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.
By Monday night, mobile phone signals and internet access had significantly deteriorated nationwide, plummeting to less than one percent of the usual levels, as reported by internet monitoring group NetBlocks. This marks the first instance of communication shutdown in the country since the Taliban’s victory in 2021 and the implementation of strict Islamic law.
Residents, like 42-year-old shopkeeper Najibullah in Kabul, expressed the challenges posed by the communication blackout, stating, “We are blind without phones and internet. All our business relies on mobiles. The deliveries are with mobiles. It’s like a holiday, everyone is at home. The market is totally frozen.”
Prior to the disruption, a government official had forewarned AFP about the impending cut to the fiber optic network, affecting mobile phone services as well. The official disclosed that “eight to nine thousand telecommunications pillars” would be deactivated, with the blackout expected to persist “until further notice.” He emphasized the widespread implications of the shutdown, affecting sectors such as banking, customs, and nationwide communication infrastructure.
Despite earlier warnings from some officials regarding the economic repercussions of the internet blackout, the Taliban leader proceeded with the ban on communications, disregarding potential fallout. Diplomatic sources highlighted that mobile networks were predominantly inactive, with operations resorting to radio communications and limited satellite connections.
The disruption has led to a reliance on radio communication due to the interdependence of telephone services and the internet, especially in regions with limited telecommunications infrastructure. Recent weeks had already witnessed sluggish and sporadic internet connectivity, with reports of restrictions in various provinces, including Badakhshan, Takhar, Kandahar, Helmand, Nangarhar, and Uruzgan.
NetBlocks, an organization monitoring cybersecurity and internet governance, noted that the blackout appeared deliberate, aligning with an intentional disconnection of services. The blackout’s impact was observed as AFP lost communication with its Kabul bureau, causing distress and disconnection among Afghans both domestically and abroad.
The fiber optic network, previously hailed as a critical infrastructure project to enhance connectivity and uplift the country, faces a setback due to the current communication disruptions.