The entire world is suffering the consequences of the Iran-US-Israel Gulf war. India experienced several days of LPG shortages. The situation has improved somewhat, but not completely. Could the internet be the next target? Could internet cables be damaged after LPG? If this happens, work will come to a standstill in many countries around the world. According to media reports, if tensions escalate further, the global internet infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz could be damaged. This could cause the internet on our phones and laptops to be shut down or severely slowed.
According to reports, Iran’s laying of sea mines has brought the Strait of Hormuz to a standstill, severely impacting shipping traffic. In addition to the Strait of Hormuz, the route near Bab al-Mandeb in the Red Sea is also unstable. Houthi groups are targeting ships there. These two narrowest waterways aren’t just for ships, but also for internet supply, connecting countries around the world.
According to a Money Control report, a dense network of undersea fiber optic cables has been laid in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, carrying a large portion of the world’s internet traffic. A report by Capacity Global states that approximately 17 submarine cables originate in the Red Sea alone, connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa with the internet.
Cable systems from major companies are present in the Strait of Hormuz. These include AAE-1, FALCON, Gulf Bridge International Cable System, and Tata TGN Gulf. These cables provide internet access to major countries around the world. They also provide connectivity to data centers built by major companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google in the Gulf.
Vulnerable Area, What If Even One Cable Breaks?
According to the report, the sea depth at the narrowest point of the Strait of Hormuz is only 200 feet.
Existing internet cables are easily targeted there.
If the cables are targeted, repairing them would be extremely difficult.
Undersea internet cables are repaired using specialized ships.
In the current situation, it is dangerous for any ship to pass through that area. A cut in such a cable could disrupt the internet system.
According to the report, many of India’s data systems pass through this area of the Gulf. Tata TGN is connected to India, Europe, and the Middle East through Gulf’s undersea cables. If internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz are damaged, internet services in India could be slowed down, affecting various areas.