UAE Internet Could Face Six-Week Disruption After Red Sea Cable Damage
Internet coverage in the Emirates could face interruptions for up to six weeks after cables in the Red Sea were damaged. Over the weekend, services slowed in parts of the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. On Monday, DownDetector.ae recorded reports of slow service on Du and Etisalat.
Repairing the cables is a complex task. Specialised ships must locate the exact fault, lift the damaged cable from the seabed, splice it, and then test it before restoring service. In most cases, this process takes two to six weeks, depending on location, weather, and ship availability.
During this period, internet traffic is rerouted through other cables, which usually causes slower speeds and higher latency. Submarine cables remain the backbone of the global internet, while satellites can provide redundancy and improve resilience. A hybrid system of cables and satellites is considered the most reliable approach to minimize major disruptions.
Users Experience Slower Speeds
Residents across the Emirates have reported slower internet connections and disruptions over recent days. The Red Sea remains a critical telecoms route, connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia through Egypt. Repairing subsea cables in this region is challenging due to ongoing security concerns, including attacks on vessels.
In March last year, three subsea cables were cut, slowing traffic in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Investigations revealed that an anchor from a damaged vessel had dragged along the seabed, severing the cables.
Fragile Global Infrastructure
These incidents highlight the vulnerability of global digital networks. Satellites carry less than 1% of global internet traffic, while subsea cables handle more than 97% of worldwide data. Although traffic can be rerouted through alternative cables, reliance solely on international infrastructure poses a strategic risk. Digital sovereignty is essential to ensure the continuity and security of critical systems.
