Afghan TV Channels Go Offline After Nationwide Internet Shutdown
Online broadcasts of most Afghan television stations have gone dark following a nationwide shutdown of internet and telecommunications services, Afghanistan International has learned.
Online broadcasts of most Afghan television stations have gone dark following a nationwide shutdown of internet and telecommunications services, Afghanistan International has learned.
Networks including TOLO, Lemar, TOLOnews, Shamshad, Tamadon and several provincial stations previously streamed programming online, but most have now gone offline. Taliban-controlled outlets such as Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), Maarif and RTA Sport remain accessible.
TOLOnews earlier warned that the blackout would disrupt broadcasts from the Moby Group, which runs TOLOnews, TOLO, Lemar, Arman and Arakozia.
The suspension of internet and telecom services stems from a decision by the Taliban-run Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Communications and IT. Sources told Afghanistan International that major providers including Roshan, Etisalat, Afghan Wireless and Afghan Telecom were ordered to halt all fibre-optic operations.
Technical experts said disabling the fibre-optic network has shut down telecom towers nationwide, effectively cutting Afghanistan off from global communications.
Some sources said limited services might eventually be restored, but high-speed internet and fibre-optic connections have been fully suspended under orders from the Taliban’s supreme leader.
