Damaged Undersea Cables are Disrupting the Internet in Pakistan once Again.
Telecommunication networks are currently experiencing disruptions due to damage to submarine cables in the Red Sea. Reports from HGC Global Communications in Hong Kong indicate that cables owned by four major telecom networks have been severed, causing significant disruptions in the Middle East’s communication networks. HGC estimates that about 25% of traffic between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East is affected.
The company is actively rerouting traffic to minimize disruptions and is assisting affected businesses. However, the cause of the cable damage and the responsible parties have not been disclosed. Seacom, the South Africa-based company owning one of the impacted cable systems, expects repairs to start in at least a month due to the lengthy process of obtaining permits for operation in the affected area.
Damage to cables in the Red Sea has occurred following warnings from the official Yemeni government, cautioning about the potential targeting of cables by Houthi rebels. These Iranian-backed militants, known for disrupting global supply chains, have attacked commercial vessels in the strategic waterway in the past.
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