Did you hear? Microsoft just announced there are problems with their Azure cloud service due to some internet cables that were cut under the Red Sea! What a wild story. I can imagine how frustrating it is to deal with slow internet during work calls. Here is the real story.
• The incident is due to damage to multiple undersea cables in the Red Sea area.
Have you ever been frustrated by having your movie buffer, or your call freeze up? The reason this happens is that these undersea cables carry the large majority of the internet - when they are cut, the entire globe feels the impact.
• They are monitoring the situation daily, and all updates will be posted for users.
But now the hard part - fixing undersea cables will take weeks. Specialized ships have to come and pull up the cables, fix them, and then re-lay them. It cannot be done overnight.
• Undersea cables such as SMW4 and IMEWE affecting India and Pakistan have also sustained damage.
Some are even worried that this wasn't just an accident - there could be sabotage based on the conflicts in the area. Although, there is no specific confirmation of this.
• Impact? Partially slow services between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
• Microsoft’s fix? Rerouting data to access services and providing updates.
• Repair timeline? It could take weeks.
• Why does it matter? Rerouted data travels through 17% of global internet traffic, including India and Pakistan.
Hopefully, the repair teams fix this issue sooner than later. Until then, keep calm, see if you can download your shows offline, and explain to your friends why the internet seems slow right now.
What Happened?
• On September 6, 2025, Microsoft announced that some users may experience slower speeds and lag, particularly for data that has to travel between Europe and Asia via the Middle East.• The incident is due to damage to multiple undersea cables in the Red Sea area.
Have you ever been frustrated by having your movie buffer, or your call freeze up? The reason this happens is that these undersea cables carry the large majority of the internet - when they are cut, the entire globe feels the impact.
Why Is This A Big Deal?
The Red Sea area holds a significant position on the internet. In fact, about 17+% of all internet traffic in the world passes via this area. The damage to the undersea cables will have a ripple effect on many travel and technology companies as well as people residing in the countries where the cables were affected. When one country is impacted, all of the countries that have data and users in and out of the affected country lose bandwidth, and the discussion of slow speeds continues on....What Is Microsoft Up To?
• Microsoft is taking data via alternative channels to mitigate the issue.• They are monitoring the situation daily, and all updates will be posted for users.
But now the hard part - fixing undersea cables will take weeks. Specialized ships have to come and pull up the cables, fix them, and then re-lay them. It cannot be done overnight.
Who Is Affected The Most?
• Countries in Asia and the Middle East are experiencing slow internet speed.• Undersea cables such as SMW4 and IMEWE affecting India and Pakistan have also sustained damage.
Some are even worried that this wasn't just an accident - there could be sabotage based on the conflicts in the area. Although, there is no specific confirmation of this.
Quick Recap
• What happened? Internet cables in the Red Sea were cut.• Impact? Partially slow services between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
• Microsoft’s fix? Rerouting data to access services and providing updates.
• Repair timeline? It could take weeks.
• Why does it matter? Rerouted data travels through 17% of global internet traffic, including India and Pakistan.
Final Thoughts
So, if your Zoom call is lagging behind or your game seems slow, you can't solely blame the Wi-Fi. The issue is much bigger and happening under the sea!Hopefully, the repair teams fix this issue sooner than later. Until then, keep calm, see if you can download your shows offline, and explain to your friends why the internet seems slow right now.
