Microsoft confirmed on Sunday that its Azure cloud platform experienced service disruptions in the Middle East due to submarine cable damage in the Red Sea. The outage, which began Saturday, caused delays in network traffic passing through the region, while services outside the Middle East remained unaffected.
According to the company, the issue stems from multiple undersea fibre cuts, impacting data transfer routes that connect several countries through the Red Sea. The incident highlights the fragility of global internet infrastructure, which heavily depends on submarine cables for connectivity.
Regional Impact and Connectivity Challenges
Independent monitoring groups reported degraded internet performance across several countries, including India and Pakistan. Submarine cables in the Red Sea serve as a critical hub for global data traffic, linking Asia, Africa, and Europe. Disruptions in this region can therefore create ripple effects across multiple continents.
The Red Sea has increasingly become an area of concern. Since 2023, shipping routes have faced risks from ongoing security tensions. Attacks on merchant vessels by armed groups have heightened anxiety about the safety of communication infrastructure that runs alongside these maritime corridors.
Importance of Submarine Cables
Modern digital life relies on submarine fibre optic cables, which span approximately 1.4 million kilometres across the ocean floor. These cables enable vital services, including international trade, financial transactions, healthcare, education, and government operations. Without them, global cloud platforms and internet services would face severe disruptions.
Historically, the laying and operation of these cables were managed by international telecom operators. However, in recent years, technology giants such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta have taken a leading role. Their growing involvement reflects the need to support rising volumes of digital traffic, cloud computing demands, and cross-border data exchange.
Frequency of Cable Damage
Damage to submarine cables is not unusual. The International Cable Protection Committee reports that between 150 and 200 outages occur worldwide each year, averaging three incidents weekly. Most of these outages result from human activity, with fishing nets and ship anchors causing the majority of physical damage.
Natural factors also contribute. Abrasions, ageing infrastructure, and occasional equipment failures remain persistent risks to the network. While repair teams are typically quick to respond, restoration efforts can be challenging due to the depth and location of the cables.
Security and Future Preparedness
The recent disruption underscores the vulnerability of critical digital infrastructure located in politically and economically sensitive regions. While Microsoft has rerouted traffic to minimise the impact, recurring issues highlight the need for stronger resilience measures. Diversification of cable routes and new investments in secure pathways are becoming urgent priorities for global cloud providers.
As reliance on cloud platforms grows worldwide, maintaining the integrity of submarine cable systems is essential. Incidents such as the Red Sea cable cuts serve as a reminder of the delicate balance that supports global internet connectivity. Ensuring redundancy and safeguarding infrastructure will be key to avoiding prolonged service disruptions in the future.
