Due to damage to underwater cables in the Red Sea, Hong Kong Internet provider HGC Global Communications reported that the incident affected 4 of more than 15 underwater cables in the region (Seacom, TGN, AAE-1, EIG), which led to a reduction in throughput by 25% of traffic. It is important to note that about 15% of the Asian traffic is sent west, and 80% of the traffic passes through these cables in the Red Sea.
To minimize the consequences for customers, HGC has developed an integrated plan of the alternative direction of the traffic from Hong Kong:
- north through mainland China to Europe;
- east through the United States to Europe;
- to the west, using the remaining 11 systems of underwater cables in the Red Sea.
HGC also supports affected businesses, offering alternative options for routing traffic from Hong Kong to the West for operators from the regions of the Middle East and North Africa (Mena).
It is also noted that the largest online platforms, such as Facebook*, Instagram*, Discord, YouTube, etc., fails.
Recall that on February 27, underwater telecommunication cables in the Red Sea recently were damaged , What follows the previous threats of the Yemenic Husites about the possible act of sabotage. The first reports of damage to underwater cables appeared on February 26 in the morning with a reference to the Israeli publication Globes, claiming that the damage was affected by four cables (EIG, AAE-1, Seacom and TGN-EA). Seacom has already confirmed the damage to one of the cables located between Kenia and Egypt.
* META and its products are recognized as extremist, their activities are prohibited in the territory of the Russian Federation.