UAE internet slowdown became the talk of the town over the long weekend of September 6–7, 2025. Many residents reported that their holiday plans were disrupted, from online streaming and gaming to working remotely. The issue was traced back to severed undersea cables in the Red Sea, a critical route connecting the Middle East to Europe and Asia.
What Happened?
On September 6, multiple undersea cables near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, including the SMW4, IMEWE, and FALCON GCX cables, were damaged. These cables are vital for internet traffic between the Middle East and other regions. The damage caused widespread connectivity issues across the UAE, leaving residents frustrated and businesses struggling to maintain operations. Internet speeds were significantly reduced, and some areas experienced complete service interruptions.
Impact on Residents
Residents across the UAE reported slow or intermittent internet connections. Streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ became difficult to access. Online gaming was disrupted, causing frustration among gamers who had planned to enjoy their long weekend. Social media platforms were flooded with complaints as users struggled to stay connected, share updates, or participate in live events. Even essential services like online banking and home delivery apps faced delays due to the unstable connectivity.
Remote work also became a challenge. Many companies in the UAE rely heavily on cloud services and video conferencing platforms. The slowdown meant that Zoom meetings were lagging, file uploads were delayed, and collaborative projects were temporarily halted. For freelancers and remote employees, this meant lost productivity and increased stress during what was supposed to be a relaxing long weekend.
Telecom Providers Respond
UAE telecom providers, including du and Etisalat, acknowledged the issue and informed customers about the disruption. Technical teams were deployed to assess the damage and work on temporary fixes where possible. While efforts were made to restore services, full recovery was expected to take several weeks due to the complex nature of undersea cable repairs.
The telecom companies urged residents to be patient and stay informed through official communication channels. They also recommended minimizing non-essential internet use to ensure that critical services remained functional during the slowdown.
Causes of the Cable Cuts
Experts suggest that the damage to the undersea cables was likely caused by commercial shipping activities, such as anchors dragging across the cables. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow passage between the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa, is a critical point where many undersea cables converge. This area is particularly vulnerable to such incidents, and even minor disturbances can have far-reaching effects on internet connectivity in the region.
Natural events such as underwater earthquakes or strong currents can also contribute to cable damage, but in this case, human activity appears to have been the main factor. The incident highlights how dependent countries like the UAE are on a small number of physical connections for global internet access.
Duration of the Disruption
Repairing undersea cables is a complex and time-consuming process. Specialized ships must locate the fault, retrieve the damaged cable from the seabed, splice it, and test the connection. Depending on weather conditions, ship availability, and the specific location of the damage, full restoration could take anywhere from two to six weeks. This means residents and businesses may continue to experience slow internet speeds for several weeks, requiring adjustments to work and leisure routines.
Broader Regional Effects
The cable cuts did not only affect the UAE. Other countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, India, and Pakistan, also experienced disruptions. Major cloud platforms faced latency issues, which affected online services and businesses that rely on cloud infrastructure. Email services, virtual private networks (VPNs), and online collaboration tools were also impacted, demonstrating how a single technical fault can ripple across multiple countries.
Lessons Learned
The internet slowdown highlighted the vulnerability of global internet infrastructure. Undersea cables, while robust, are susceptible to damage from both natural events and human activities. The UAE’s heavy reliance on these cables underscores the importance of investing in alternative solutions and resilient infrastructure.
Residents and businesses alike are reminded of the need for backup plans. For example, having alternative communication tools, offline work options, and contingency plans for online-dependent services can help reduce the impact of such disruptions in the future.
Looking Ahead
In response to incidents like this, the UAE is exploring ways to diversify its internet infrastructure. Satellite internet services, such as Starlink, are being considered as potential backups. Satellite connections can provide coverage in remote areas and during undersea cable disruptions, although they have limitations like higher latency and occasional outages.
Telecom companies are also examining ways to strengthen existing infrastructure and implement redundancy measures. This includes investing in additional undersea cables, better monitoring systems, and faster response mechanisms for repair teams. Such initiatives aim to ensure that residents and businesses can rely on stable internet access, even during unforeseen incidents.
Conclusion
The long weekend internet slowdown served as a wake-up call for residents and authorities in the UAE. While the immediate inconvenience was frustrating, it also highlighted the need for more robust, resilient, and diversified internet infrastructure. Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels and prepare for intermittent disruptions in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the government and telecom providers continue to work on repairing the cables and improving the overall reliability of the UAE’s internet network.
As the UAE continues to grow as a digital hub, incidents like this underscore the importance of investing in infrastructure that can withstand unexpected challenges. For residents, patience and preparedness remain the key to navigating such disruptions effectively.
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