Afghan government starts shutting down fixed internet access

Details: Vaughan O'Grady; Category: Regulation; 18 September 2025; 10939 views

The latest government attack on internet connectivity – and one of the most drastic so far – comes from Afghanistan, where ruling group the Taliban this week imposed an internet ban on the northern Balkh province, where a Wi-Fi shutdown was confirmed on Tuesday. The Taliban has said that the fibre optic internet ban will eventually be nationwide.

Indeed, there have already been reports of severe disruption in other parts of the country. On Thursday, according to Reuters, internet access was reportedly cut off in the provinces of Baghlan, Badakhshan and Takhar in the northeast, Kunduz in the north and Nangarhar in the east. So far local media reports suggest that as many as ten provinces have been affected.

Local news outlet Afghanistan International has quoted an official statement saying: "The order from the Taliban leader is irreversible and will be enforced nationwide."

The ban, which is said to be in order to "prevent immorality", is the first since the Taliban seized power in August 2021. It affects not only consumers and their homes but government offices, the private sector, and public institutions, all of which will be left without Wi-Fi internet. Indeed, Reuters says most Afghan provinces have had fibre optic services until now.

Mobile internet remains functional, however, though it is described as being slow and expensive.

Officials say alternatives are being found for necessities, though what these necessities may be and how they will be addressed is not clear.

The Afghanistan Media Support Organisation has condemned the ban as disrupting millions of citizens' access to free information and essential services but also posing a grave threat to freedom of expression and the work of the media.

However, as the Sky News service points out, businesses will also suffer as a lot of business is done on the internet. Fixed internet also offers a source of education for girls, which may no longer be available.

This seems to be a radical policy reversal given comments apparently made last year by a spokesman for the Communications Ministry. He said that Afghanistan had a fibre optic network of more than 1,800 kilometres and that approval had been given for an additional 488 kilometres.