Massive Internet Slowdowns Across Asia and Middle East Due to Undersea Cable Cuts

Large swathes of Asia and the Middle East have been hit by significant internet slowdowns after multiple undersea cables in the Red Sea experienced cuts, leading to widespread disruption across the region. Telecom providers and monitoring organizations have reported issues affecting millions of users, with internet traffic noticeably slower during peak hours. While the exact cause of the damage remains unknown, the incident highlights the vulnerability of global connectivity infrastructure and its dependence on these hidden underwater links.

The Critical Role of Undersea Cables in Internet Connectivity

Undersea cables are the backbone of the global internet, carrying nearly 99% of the world’s international data traffic. Although satellites and land-based fiber-optic networks contribute to internet connectivity, the vast majority of data—including video calls, streaming, and cloud services—flows through these submarine systems. When one cable is damaged, traffic is typically rerouted through alternate connections, yet this can still slow speeds. However, when multiple cables are severed, as seen in the Red Sea region, the cascading effect can severely disrupt communications for millions.

Microsoft stated on its service status page that internet traffic in the Middle East may face increased latency due to the fiber cuts. Additionally, organizations like NetBlocks, which monitor internet access globally, confirmed significant disruptions in countries like India, Pakistan, and Kuwait. Two major cable systems—the SEA-ME-WE 4 (SMW4) and the India-Middle East-Western Europe (IMEWE)—were identified as affected near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These cables are critical links for global internet traffic, and their outages have resulted in widespread connectivity issues.

Challenges in Repairing Submarine Cables

Repairing damaged undersea cables is a complex and time-consuming process. Specialized ships must travel to the exact site of the damage, locate the broken or severed section, and haul it to the surface. Engineers then repair or splice the cable before carefully lowering it back to the seabed. This operation can take weeks, leaving countries to rely on slower backup systems in the interim. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time such incidents have occurred in the Red Sea. In February 2024, similar disruptions were reported, raising concerns about the region’s susceptibility to cable cuts.

There are various potential causes for these interruptions. Accidents, such as ships dropping anchors in busy maritime corridors, are a common risk. Meanwhile, natural disasters like earthquakes have also damaged undersea infrastructure in the past. In politically sensitive areas like the Red Sea, the possibility of sabotage cannot be ruled out. In 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, incidents of damaged cables in the Baltic Sea further underscored how geopolitical tensions can threaten vital communication technologies.

The Global Impacts of Cable Disruptions

The consequences of undersea cable failures extend far beyond local connectivity issues. Slower internet speeds disrupt essential services such as cloud computing, online banking, and remote work systems. For businesses, especially those reliant on real-time data transfers through platforms like Microsoft Azure, the delays can have financial repercussions. Additionally, the frequent cable problems in strategic waterways such as the Red Sea highlight the need for governments and corporations to invest in more resilient networks and alternative technologies to minimize downtime.

Overall, the incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of the global internet ecosystem. Despite advances in technology, undersea cables remain a critical yet vulnerable component of modern communication. With growing geopolitical tensions and increasing reliance on digital infrastructure, ensuring the security and redundancy of these systems is more important than ever.