Overview: Nationwide internet and broadcast disruption in Afghanistan
Afghanistan is grappling with a country‑wide internet outage that has disrupted fiber‑optic networks, mobile services, and satellite television. Reports indicate that the Taliban authorities ordered or enforced blocks on civilian telecommunications, affecting urban centers and rural areas alike. A Taliban official said the outages would remain in place until further notice, a statement that has left households, businesses, and public services scrambling for answers. Private media outlet TOLO News advised its viewers to monitor social media channels for updates as traditional TV and radio feeds become unreliable.
What is affected: fiber, mobile, and satellite services
Officials say the disruption touches multiple layers of Afghanistan’s communications infrastructure. Fiber‑optic networks have been curtailed or halted, severing high‑speed connections that households and businesses depend on for internet access. In addition to fixed lines, mobile data services across the country have been disrupted, limiting the ability of individuals to connect via smartphones. Satellite‑based television reception, a common source of information for many households, has also been affected, limiting access to broadcast news and entertainment.
Across the spectrum, the outage has created a cascading effect on information flow, banking, and public services that rely on real‑time connectivity.
Air travel and airport disruptions
The disruption extends into air travel. Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport reported cancellations of several scheduled departures and arrivals. Flight tracking platforms indicated at least eight planned movements were canceled on a single day, complicating schedules for travelers and cargo alike. Local residents and observers noted that, with the fiber‑optic links down by late afternoon local time, many services and check‑in processes ground to a halt, underscoring the broader disruption to daily life and commerce. The aviation sector’s ability to coordinate operations hinges on reliable connectivity, which the outages have challenged.
Economic and social impact
Businesses, banks, and markets are feeling the strain as cash and digital payments hinge on functioning networks. Bank and financial services, traditionally dependent on secure online systems and real‑time settlement, face interruptions that could slow transactions, delay settlements, and risk liquidity. Small and medium enterprises—often reliant on mobile payments or online inventory management—are unable to operate normally. For households, the outage affects communication with relatives, access to information, and the ability to participate in remote education or telemedicine when those services are online elsewhere in the world but unreachable locally in Afghanistan.
Public response and media coverage
Television and radio remain important sources of information in Afghanistan. With the shutdown of many channels’ live feeds, viewers are being directed to social media for updates. Tolo News, a privately owned Afghan channel, urged its audience to follow its social platforms for the latest advisories and news. In communities where mobile access remains intermittent or degraded, messaging apps and social networks become the primary conduits for news and emergency information, complicating efforts to communicate official guidance.
What to watch next
Analysts say restoration of services will depend on the authorities’ decisions and any technical workarounds deployed by telecom operators. No timetable has been provided for full recovery, and observers caution that the scale of disruption could have lingering effects on banking, education, and public services. International organizations and local stakeholders will be monitoring the situation to mitigate immediate harms and coordinate humanitarian support where needed.
Conclusion
The nationwide internet outage in Afghanistan marks a significant constraint on the country’s communications infrastructure, with fiber‑optic, mobile, and satellite services all affected. As Kabul airport faces operational pressures and daily life slows, the broader implications—economic disruption, information gaps, and the potential impact on governance—will depend on how quickly connectivity can be restored and how authorities manage the ongoing situation.
