UAE Internet Faces Potential Six-Week Disruption Due to Red Sea Cable Damage

The UAE is facing potential internet disruptions lasting up to six weeks following damage to critical undersea cables in the Red Sea. Dr. Sarath Raj, Project Director at Amity University Dubai, explained that repairing such cables is a complex process involving specialised ships to locate, lift, splice, and test the damaged sections. This process typically takes between two to six weeks, depending on various factors including location, weather, and ship availability. 

During this period, internet traffic is being rerouted through alternative paths, which, while maintaining service, often results in slower speeds and higher latency for users in the UAE. Dr. Raj noted that this situation mirrors the 2008 Alexandria cable cut incident, which similarly caused widespread disruptions across North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. 

While satellite internet services like Elon Musk’s Starlink could offer alternative connectivity, they are not yet activated over the UAE. Dr. Raj emphasised that submarine cables remain the backbone of global internet infrastructure due to their high capacity, and a hybrid system incorporating both cables and satellite technology would enhance resilience against such disruptions. 

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