Hassan Khan
Microsoft’s Azure Cloud Platform, one of the most widely used services for businesses worldwide, has been hit by disruptions after undersea internet cables were damaged in the Red Sea.
The company confirmed that users in regions where traffic passes through the Middle East may notice slower connections and higher latency. However, Microsoft assured customers that traffic not routed through the affected area remains unaffected and that alternative pathways are being used to reduce the impact.
Over the weekend, organizations monitoring internet activity, including NetBlocks, Reported that the cable damage had caused slowdowns in several countries, including India and Pakistan. The Pakistan Telecommunication Company also acknowledged the issue, warning that peak-hour internet performance could suffer.
Undersea fiber cables are critical to global internet connectivity, carrying vast amounts of data between continents. While such cables are sometimes damaged accidentally by ship anchors, there have also been concerns in recent years about possible sabotage, especially in regions facing political and military tensions.
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This latest disruption follows earlier incidents in February 2024, when multiple cables in the Red Sea were cut, impacting internet traffic between Asia and Europe. The ongoing situation highlights just how fragile global connectivity can be, despite the world’s heavy reliance on cloud services.
Summary
Microsoft’s Azure cloud services faced disruptions after undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea, causing internet slowdowns across parts of Asia and the Middle East. The company rerouted traffic, but users in countries like Pakistan and India reported increased latency.
