Net Neutrality Under Threat: Cybernet's VoWiFi Blocking and What It Means for Pakistani Internet Users

The internet should be open and accessible to all, with equal treatment for all types of traffic. This fundamental principle is called net neutrality. However, a concerning development has recently emerged in Pakistan's telecommunications landscape that threatens this principle. Cybernet/Stormfiber, a major Pakistani ISP, has begun blocking Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) services offered by mobile operators like Jazz, raising serious concerns about the future of net neutrality in the country.

The VoWiFi Blocking Situation

If you're a Jazz customer using Cybernet/Stormfiber internet services, you may have noticed that you can no longer make WiFi calls. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's (PTA) response to consumer complaints, Cybernet argues that "there is no regime that allows/governs free using infrastructure of other Operator for VoWiFi" and that an interconnection arrangement should exist between the parties.

The PTA has asked both Jazz and Cybernet to record traffic statistics for a month and report back, with the two companies currently "working on modalities of this exercise." But while this bureaucratic process unfolds, consumers are left without access to an important service they've come to rely on.

Below is the PTA's response to a consumer complaint regarding this issue shared by Saad Hussain:

Understanding VoWiFi and Why It Matters

VoWiFi, commonly known as WiFi Calling, enables users to make voice calls and send messages using WiFi networks instead of cellular infrastructure. First deployed commercially in the USA in 2014, this technology has become essential for maintaining connectivity in areas with poor cellular coverage.

When you make a VoWiFi call, your device establishes a secure connection to your mobile operator's network through your internet connection. The call is encrypted and tunneled through your ISP's infrastructure but is managed by your mobile carrier. For many Pakistanis living in areas with spotty cellular coverage or in buildings with poor signal penetration, this service is not a luxury but a necessity.

It's important to note that VoWiFi is not a free service—you're already paying for it. Mobile operators typically charge the same rate for WiFi calls as they do for regular cellular calls. Meanwhile, you're also paying your ISP for internet access. When an ISP blocks VoWiFi, they're preventing you from using a service you're already paying for twice.

The Net Neutrality Principle at Stake

Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers must treat all internet communications equally, without discriminating based on user, content, website, platform, or application. This principle preserves the internet as an open platform where users can access all content and services without interference.

When an ISP like Cybernet selectively blocks VoWiFi traffic while allowing other forms of encrypted traffic, it violates this principle. Imagine if your ISP decided to block WhatsApp unless the company paid extra, or prevented you from using Netflix unless you switched to their preferred streaming service. This is the slippery slope that begins when we allow ISPs to pick and choose which services can operate on their networks.

Global Context and Similar Cases

The situation in Pakistan isn't entirely without precedent, though the specific details are unique. Across the globe, net neutrality has faced challenges and interpretations vary by country.

In the United States, the regulatory journey of net neutrality has been turbulent. Most recently, in January 2025, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit struck down the Federal Communications Commission's net neutrality rules. However, several US states maintain their own net neutrality laws, demonstrating ongoing support for these principles.

Research has shown that many mobile operators implement geoblocking for their own VoWiFi services, primarily to prevent users from accessing domestic rates while roaming internationally. However, this differs fundamentally from the situation in Pakistan, as these restrictions are implemented by the mobile operators themselves, not imposed by ISPs demanding payment.

Why This Shouldn't Be Allowed

There are several compelling reasons why the PTA should not allow Cybernet or other ISPs to block VoWiFi services:

Double Payment Issue

Consumers already pay both the ISP for internet access and the mobile operator for calling services. Allowing ISPs to charge mobile operators additionally for carrying VoWiFi traffic essentially creates a double-payment system that ultimately increases costs for consumers.

Technical Equivalence

From a technical perspective, VoWiFi traffic is no different from other encrypted data that flows through an ISP's network. There's no technical justification for treating this traffic differently from other encrypted services that consumers use daily, such as online banking or secure messaging.

Consumer Benefits

VoWiFi provides substantial benefits by improving coverage in areas with poor cellular reception. This is particularly important in rural or difficult-to-reach areas of Pakistan, where cellular infrastructure may be limited. Blocking these services works against the public interest and the PTA's mandate to ensure widespread telecommunications access.

Dangerous Precedent

If Cybernet is permitted to block VoWiFi unless mobile operators pay additional fees, what's to stop them from applying the same approach to other services? Video conferencing, streaming platforms, online gaming, or even social media could become the next targets, fundamentally altering the open nature of the internet in Pakistan.

What Can Be Done?

The PTA has an opportunity to establish important precedents for how Pakistan will address similar issues in the future. To resolve this issue, the regulator might consider:

1. Developing clear regulations regarding net neutrality that prevent discriminatory blocking of specific services
2. Creating a formal dispute resolution process for addressing similar issues in the future
3. Imposing penalties for ISPs that violate net neutrality principles without proper regulatory approval

Call to Action

As internet users in Pakistan, we shouldn't stand by while our online freedoms are eroded. If you're affected by this issue, continue to file complaints with the PTA. Share your experiences on social media and raise awareness about the importance of net neutrality.

The internet has flourished precisely because it has remained open and free from gatekeeping by service providers. By allowing an ISP to block specific services unless they receive additional payment, we risk transforming the internet from an open platform for innovation and communication into a collection of walled gardens controlled by whoever owns the infrastructure.

The future of Pakistan's digital landscape depends on maintaining net neutrality principles that ensure all users have equal access to all services, regardless of which ISP they choose. Let's ensure the PTA understands that Pakistani internet users demand nothing less.