If you’ve ever wondered where the internet in Afghanistan comes from and who owns it, here’s a clear and simple explanation.
Afghanistan is a landlocked country with no direct access to the sea, which means it can’t get internet through undersea cables like many other nations do. Instead, Afghanistan’s internet is delivered through fiber optic cables that enter the country from its neighboring nations — Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. These cables carry high-speed data into Afghanistan and connect it to the global internet network.
Who Owns the Internet Infrastructure in Afghanistan?
The main owner and operator of the national fiber optic network in Afghanistan is Afghan Telecom (AfTel), a state-owned company. Afghan Telecom controls the backbone of the country’s internet infrastructure.
Private telecom companies such as Etisalat, Roshan, Afghan Wireless, and MTN purchase internet bandwidth from Afghan Telecom. They then distribute it across Afghanistan through their own network towers and systems, providing mobile data and broadband access to users in cities and rural areas alike.
Where Does Your Home or Office Wi-Fi Come From?
If you have Wi-Fi at home, in your office, or at your shop, it’s provided by an ISP (Internet Service Provider). These ISPs also get their internet connection from Afghan Telecom. They transmit the signal through antennas or fiber networks to your local area. From there, your Wi-Fi router distributes the signal to your computer, phone, and other smart devices.
In short, whether you’re using mobile data or home Wi-Fi, it all originates from Afghan Telecom’s national network.
Final Note 💡
If you have more information or experiences about how the internet works in your area of Afghanistan, feel free to share it in the comments below — and don’t forget to share this post with your friends so they can learn too!