UAE Internet could be disrupted for six weeks amid Red Sea cable repairs

Internet coverage in the Emirates could be disrupted for up to six weeks after several undersea cables in the Red Sea were damaged, affecting international data traffic.

Services slowed to a crawl in parts of the Middle East, India, and Pakistan over the weekend after the cables were reportedly severed. On Monday, internet monitoring site DownDetector.ae showed a noticeable increase in user complaints, including reports of slow service and intermittent connectivity on both Du and Etisalat networks.

The Red Sea is a critical chokepoint in global internet infrastructure. More than 17% of global internet traffic passes through this corridor, meaning any damage can have far-reaching effects.

In the UAE, the damage has so far resulted in increased latency, slower download and upload speeds, and occasional service interruptions – especially during peak usage hours. Businesses relying on cloud services, video conferencing, and international operations may experience noticeable slowdowns.

Repair Timeline and Challenges

According to regional telecom authorities, repairs could take four to six weeks, depending on weather conditions, permit approvals, and maritime security. Specialized cable-laying ships are required to locate and repair the damaged sections – a process that involves navigating both technical and geopolitical challenges.

The restoration process is being coordinated among multiple international telecom companies and cable consortiums, though progress remains slow due to ongoing instability in parts of the Red Sea.

What’s Being Done

Both Du and Etisalat have acknowledged the disruption and say they are working with international partners to reroute traffic through alternate paths where possible. In a statement, Du said, “We are closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary measures to minimize impact on our users.”

Meanwhile, Etisalat urged customers to be patient, adding that “service quality may temporarily fluctuate while redundancy measures are implemented.”

While core internet services like email and messaging apps may continue to function, users may notice:

Slower video streaming and buffering

Delays in cloud-based applications and gaming

Reduced call quality on internet-based services like WhatsApp or Zoom

Difficulties accessing international websites and services

Experts recommend minimizing high-bandwidth activity during peak hours and using local content servers where available.

This incident underscores the vulnerability of global internet infrastructure and the importance of diversifying routes and enhancing regional resilience. For now, UAE residents and businesses are being urged to stay informed and prepare for intermittent disruptions over the coming weeks.