Microsoft announced on Sunday that its Azure cloud platform is facing increased network delays in parts of the Middle East due to “undersea fibre cuts” in the Red Sea.
The company, however, did not disclose the cause of the submarine line damage but confirmed the disruption began on Saturday.
“Network traffic that does not traverse the Middle East is not impacted,” Microsoft stated.
The internet watchdog NetBlocks reported that a series of submarine cable outages in the Red Sea had reduced connectivity in several countries, including India and Pakistan.
Global internet and telecom cables typically follow shipping routes through the Red Sea. Concerns over their safety have grown since late 2023, when Yemen’s Houthi rebels began targeting merchant vessels in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict.
Traditionally, large telecom operators managed the laying and maintenance of submarine cables, but tech giants have increasingly taken over to cope with soaring data demands. Around 1.4 million kilometres (nearly 900,000 miles) of fibre optic cables lie on the ocean floor, underpinning essential services worldwide, from financial transactions to health and education.
Damage to submarine cables is not unusual. The International Cable Protection Committee records between 150 and 200 outages annually, averaging three incidents a week.
Fishing and anchoring account for most cable damage, while natural risks include ageing, abrasions, and equipment failure.