Internet connectivity in parts of Asia and the Middle East has been disrupted following undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea, according to experts. The exact cause of the incident remains unclear.
Undersea cables are a critical component of the global internet infrastructure, alongside satellite connections and land-based cables. While internet service providers typically rely on multiple access points to reroute traffic during disruptions, such rerouting often results in slower speeds for users.
Microsoft acknowledged the issue, stating on its status website that regions of the Middle East "may experience increased latency due to undersea fiber cuts in the Red Sea." The company clarified that internet traffic not routed through the Middle East "is not impacted", though further details were not provided.
NetBlocks, an organization that monitors global internet access, confirmed the disruptions, saying that "a series of subsea cable outages in the Red Sea has degraded internet connectivity in multiple countries."
Among the affected cables, the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 cable is operated by Tata Communications, part of the Indian conglomerate, while the India-Middle East-Western Europe cable is managed by a consortium overseen by Alcatel-Lucent. Neither company has responded to requests for comment regarding the outages.
While internet service providers work to mitigate the impact, the incident has highlighted the importance and vulnerability of undersea cables in maintaining global connectivity. The situation remains under observation as further updates are awaited.
