UAE Faces Prolonged Internet Disruptions

How Long Will UAE's Internet Stay Slow? The Impact of the Red Sea Cable Cut Could Last for Months

Internet users in the United Arab Emirates have experienced significant slowdowns and outages in recent days. The issue is not due to a local service provider error, but rather stems from a globally significant event: the undersea data cables running beneath the Red Sea have been damaged. These types of cables form the backbone of the global internet, and their repair is an extremely complex and lengthy process. Some experts suggest that it could take several months before full capacity is restored.

What Exactly Happened?

Several optical cables running beneath the Red Sea have been damaged, which immediately impacted the region's internet connection. These cables facilitate data traffic between multiple continents – including Europe, Asia, and Africa – thus affecting not only the UAE but also several other countries.

Repairing undersea cables requires special technology and expertise. Currently, only three to four companies worldwide possess the technological backing and deep-sea diver capacity necessary for such operations. First, the exact location of the break must be determined, then specialized equipment is needed to perform repairs at great depths. This is a time-consuming process, often taking weeks or months.

How Does This Affect the Population?

Residents of the UAE immediately felt the change. In some areas, mobile internet slowed down, while in others, data connection was lost entirely. Many users reported being unable to use Google Maps when trying to reach an unfamiliar location, or that mobile data connections failed during work events, with only on-site Wi-Fi saving the situation.

The two main telecommunications providers, Du and e& UAE, have issued statements on social media indicating that slowdowns are being experienced, and that their technical teams are working with international partners to resolve the issue. According to the posts, information will be continuously updated.

What Could Have Caused the Problem?

While the exact cause is still under investigation, several possible scenarios exist. One of the most common is that anchoring ships accidentally cut or damage the cables. In other cases, natural disasters – such as earthquakes or underwater landslides – could be responsible. Though rarer, intentional sabotage can also occur, for example in military or geopolitical conflicts. A similar incident happened near Norway during the Russian-Ukrainian tensions.

This current cable cut especially affects routes providing connections between the UAE and Europe. These sections are particularly busy, and several countries rely on them for external communication.

Is There a Solution to Prevent This Problem?

Experts say yes, but it is not simple. One of the most important steps is establishing network redundancy: providing alternative routes in the event one data connection is interrupted. The UAE, for example, uses routes toward Singapore and India, which have partially taken over the traffic of the interrupted section. However, these supplementary routes cannot fully compensate for the loss, especially for services requiring high bandwidth data traffic.

Satellite technology may initially come to mind as another solution, but current satellite systems cannot provide the speed and low latency that modern internet services demand. Satellites primarily offer emergency redundancy but are not suitable for main data channels.

Why is Flexibility and Adaptability Important?

This incident has once again highlighted that preparing for change is essential when designing digital services. ICT infrastructure must not only meet current needs but also anticipate and adapt to changing circumstances. Conscious planning of cloud-based systems, risk assessment, and developing business continuity plans can help in this regard.

For companies, this situation provides an excellent opportunity to rethink their IT architecture and implement solutions that better respond to unexpected events. Flexible, scalable systems can provide a competitive advantage in the future – not just technically, but also in terms of customer experience, data security, and operational efficiency.

Long-term Benefits from Damage

Although such a cable cut poses a significant disruption, experts believe it may have positive outcomes. Newly installed optical cables are made from more advanced materials that are more resistant to environmental impacts and provide a longer lifespan. Thus, if new cables are required now, they could offer stable connections for many years to come.

Summary

The disruption to internet services in the UAE is not just a technical issue, but a reminder of how vulnerable the global digital infrastructure is. The invisible network of undersea data cables holds the online world together, and a single cut can isolate continents from each other. Although repairs can take weeks or months, the current event holds valuable lessons: flexibility, preparedness, and alternative solutions are crucial for ensuring data connections – not only for the UAE but for the entire world.

(Source of the article based on experts' statements.)