Major Internet Cable Projects Stalled in Red Sea Conflict Zone
Multiple critical subsea internet cable projects passing through the Red Sea face indefinite delays as escalating political tensions and security threats create dangerous conditions for commercial vessels. The situation threatens to disrupt high-speed internet connectivity between Europe, Asia, and Africa, with significant implications for global digital infrastructure.
Meta Platforms Inc.'s ambitious 2Africa cable system, originally announced in 2020 as a 45,000-kilometer network circling the African continent, remains partially incomplete five years later. A substantial segment through the southern Red Sea has not been built due to what Meta describes as operational challenges, regulatory issues, and geopolitical risks.
Multiple Projects Affected, Including India-Europe Links
The disruption extends beyond Meta's project. Google-backed Blue-Raman cable has also experienced significant delays in the region, according to Alphabet Inc.'s Google spokesperson. Other affected projects include the India-Europe-Xpress cable, Sea-Me-We 6, and Africa-1 systems - all crucial for global internet traffic.
Representatives from telecommunications companies involved in these projects have remained largely silent, either declining to comment or not responding to inquiries about the delays.
Subsea fiber-optic cables represent the backbone of global internet infrastructure, with approximately 400 cables carrying over 95% of international internet traffic. These underwater arteries provide the fastest and most efficient method for transmitting data across continents, making any disruption potentially catastrophic for digital connectivity.
Houthi Attacks Complicate Critical Infrastructure Work
The Red Sea has historically served as the most direct and cost-effective route for internet cables connecting Europe with Asia and Africa. However, the region has transformed into a conflict zone, complicated by repeated missile attacks from Iran-backed Houthi forces over the past two years.
These security threats have forced cargo ships to take lengthy detours and have severely disrupted the specialized vessels required for laying and repairing underwater cables. The Houthi-controlled telecommunications ministry in Yemen did not respond to requests for comment regarding the situation.
According to Alan Mauldin, research director at telecommunications data firm Telegeography, cable owners face significant financial losses as they cannot monetize their investments and must purchase alternative capacity to meet immediate requirements.
The economic impact became evident when Ireland-based subsea fiber specialist Aqua Comms sold its company at a discount in January, citing indefinite delays to the EMIC-1 cable segment - part of the 2Africa system - due to ongoing Red Sea conflicts.
Industry Shifts Strategy Amid Ongoing Crisis
The persistent challenges have forced technology and telecommunications companies to fundamentally rethink their global connectivity strategies. Unlike cargo ships that can quickly reroute around Africa's southern tip, subsea cable projects require years of advance planning and cannot easily change routes once committed.
Meta's spokesperson revealed the company participates in approximately 24 global projects and believes diversifying connectivity routes represents the best strategy for mitigating disruption risks. This approach is gaining traction across the industry.
Telecom and technology firms are now actively considering alternative overland routes through Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to bypass the Red Sea entirely. Even historically risky paths through Iraq are being reevaluated as viable options.
Several major telecom companies, including UAE's E&, Qatar's Ooredoo, and Gulf Bridge International, have already purchased capacity on the newly developed Silk Route alternative, according to IQ Group CEO Asoz Rashid.
In a dramatic development, some companies are considering applying for US Treasury Department exemptions to negotiate directly with the sanctioned Houthi-backed government in Sanaa, Yemen, to obtain necessary permits. They are also exploring potential assistance from NATO, according to anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
Experts suggest that while the current situation creates immediate challenges, the forced diversification away from the Red Sea could ultimately strengthen global internet infrastructure. As Mauldin notes, this shift will lead to more resilient systems with diverse connection points linking the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
The Red Sea corridor, once considered the optimal path for international connectivity, is now viewed as a critical high-risk single point of failure that requires urgent alternatives to ensure global digital stability.
