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UAE Residents Might Have To Deal With Slow Internet For 6 More Weeks

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If you’ve been wondering why your Youtube videos are buffering more than usual or why all those multiple tabs feel like they’re functioning in extra slow-motion… you’re not alone.

Turns out, multiple internet cables were damaged in the Red Sea, causing slow internet across the Middle-East

Including right here in the UAE. Yikes!

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So, what actually happened?

The Red Sea corridor carries about 17% of global internet traffic between Asia, Europe and Africa, making it one of the world’s most critical digital chokepoints. Multiple such major underwater cables were damaged which disrupted connectivity across the UAE, India, Pakistan, and parts of Africa.

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And restoring them isn’t exactly a quick fix. Think deep-sea missions, high-tech equipment, and a whole lot of patience.

According to The National, it could take up to 6 weeks to repair everything. Six whole weeks of wondering what to do without WiFi.

The article also quoted Dr. Sarath Raj, Project Director of the Satellite Ground Station at Amity University,Dubai,

“Specialised ships must locate the exact fault, lift the damaged cable from the seabed, splice it and then test it before restoring service.”

Basically, it’s not as easy as plugging a cable back in.

What’s being done?

Microsoft and UAE telecom providers have reassured everyone that they’re rerouting internet traffic and working on repairs. So, you’ll still be able to scroll, stream, and swipe, but don’t be surprised if things feel a bit sluggish.

And with ongoing tensions and security challenges in the Red Sea region, it’s not exactly smooth sailing for the repair crews either.

Has this happened before?

Way back in 2008, a major cable cut in Alexandria caused internet chaos for nearly a month. It also affected connectivity for millions across North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.

So yes, slow internet might be our reality for a little while longer until cables in the Red Sea are back up and running.

Meanwhile stay patient, we’re all in this buffering boat together.

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