Kabul: Afghanistan is experiencing one of its most severe communication blackouts in recent years, after the Taliban government moved to disable mobile and internet services nationwide. Independent watchdog NetBlocks reported that connectivity across the country collapsed to just 1% of normal levels, leaving Afghans unable to access reliable phone or online services.
The blackout, which began in phases earlier this week, culminated on Monday evening with a near-total halt to both internet and telephone services. NetBlocks explained that the latest restrictions targeted shared infrastructure between telecom and digital networks, effectively disabling two of Afghanistan’s most vital channels of communication.
Local reports, including from Tolo News, confirmed that the Taliban has ordered mobile operators to shut down 3G and 4G services across the nation within a week, leaving only outdated 2G connections barely sufficient for calls and text messages. The brunt of the impact has been felt in Kabul, Herat, and Kandahar, where citizens now face digital isolation.
Despite the sweeping disruption, Taliban authorities have yet to provide an official explanation. However, the move follows earlier decisions to restrict fiber optic internet in several northern provinces such as Kunduz, Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan, and Balkh on the grounds of curbing “immorality” and online content deemed inappropriate, including pornography.
By targeting faster mobile networks this time, the government appears to be expanding its control beyond selective provinces, opting instead for a nationwide communications chokehold.
Rights groups warn that the blackout threatens freedom of expression, access to education, and emergency services, all of which depend heavily on digital platforms. For Afghan women and girls already barred from most schools, universities, and workplaces the loss of online access closes one of the last windows to study, connect, and advocate.
Sanam Kabiri, a women’s rights activist now living in exile, denounced the move: “They are using every tool at their disposal to suppress the people. Cutting communication is cutting hope itself.”
The blackout also disrupts humanitarian operations, as hospitals, relief agencies, and even banking systems rely on connectivity to function.
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has urged the Taliban to immediately restore phone and internet services, warning that such restrictions harm millions who rely on digital tools for survival. International observers say the blackout underscores the Taliban’s determination to consolidate control over both information and society, even at the cost of isolating the nation further.
This comes amid a pattern of repressive measures, including bans on women’s education, employment, and public participation, all of which have sparked condemnation from global human rights groups.
With 3G and 4G networks ordered offline and fiber optic cables disabled in multiple provinces, Afghanistan is facing an unprecedented digital disconnect. While it remains unclear whether the blackout is temporary or will be extended indefinitely, analysts say the Taliban is sending a clear message: communication in Afghanistan will exist only on the state’s terms.
For millions of Afghans, however, the blackout represents not just a loss of connection but a stark reminder of their growing isolation from the outside world.