Microsoft Cloud Services Hit by Delays Due to Red Sea Submarine Cable Outage

Red Sea Cable Cuts Cause Azure, Linode Latency Issues; Tech Giants respond

A critical infrastructure disruption is impacting internet connectivity in the Middle east, as Microsoft Azure and Linode customers report heightened latency. The issue stems from damage to multiple undersea fiber optic cables in the Red Sea, first detected on September 6, 2025.

Azure and Linode Acknowledge Network Congestion

Microsoft alerted its clientele to the problem, citing network traffic traversing the Middle East as particularly affected. the tech giant has proactively rerouted traffic, but anticipates continued higher latency for some users. Linode similarly confirmed the impact, attributing it to “multiple faults” impacting optimal data center routes.

Currently, there is no estimated time for full resolution, as cable operators continue assessments.NetBlocks, a web monitoring firm, has pinpointed the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems as the source of the disruption, locating the issue near the Saudi city of Jeddah. Initial assessments suggest the problem might potentially be terrestrial, rather then a seafloor breakage, with jeddah hosting landing stations for both impacted cables.

Impact and mitigation Strategies

The underwater cable faults present a significant challenge to data transmission and network stability. According to a report by Capacity Media, submarine cable outages have increased 40% in the last two years, fueled by geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, and simple wear and tear. The reliance on a relatively small number of these undersea cables creates a single point of failure for global internet traffic.

This event underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in global internet infrastructure. While the immediate impact is felt in the Middle East, the cascading effects could ripple outwards. Companies relying on low-latency connections for critical applications may need to consider choice routing strategies and redundancies.

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• Toshiba Restructuring: Toshiba is integrating its digital solutions division, a move continuing its ongoing revitalization efforts. The merger, slated for April 1, 2026, follows a longer reorganization that began in 2021.
• Lenovo’s Clip-On Display: Lenovo is launching a unique external display, the “Magic Bay HUD,” designed to clip onto select ThinkBook laptops. Priced at approximately $70, the display aims to provide supplemental details without overwhelming the primary screen.
• AWS New Zealand Launch: Amazon Web Services opened its first New Zealand region, comprising three availability zones. The launch was met with some criticism regarding initial plans to build a local data center, later abandoned due to energy costs.
• Google and South Korea Combat Phishing: South Korea’s Ministry of Science and Technology is partnering with Google to deploy “Enhanced Fraud Protection,” aimed at blocking malicious app installations and safeguarding user credentials.

Understanding Submarine Cables

Submarine cables are the backbone of the internet, carrying over 99% of international data traffic. These cables, often buried deep beneath the ocean floor, are vulnerable to a range of threats, including ship anchors, fishing trawlers, natural disasters, and, increasingly, deliberate sabotage. Protecting this critical infrastructure is a growing concern for governments and telecommunications companies worldwide.

Cable system	Length (approx.)	Capacity (approx.)
SMW4	19,200 km	Over 80 Tbps
IMEWE	14,800 km	Over 3.4 Tbps

Did You Know? The first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid in 1858, revolutionizing global communication.

pro Tip: Regularly assess your cloud provider’s redundancy and disaster recovery plans to minimize the impact of potential service disruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Red Sea Cable Outage

What are your thoughts on the increasing vulnerability of undersea internet infrastructure? How is this outage impacting your work or online activities?

What geopolitical factors are increasing the risk to Red Sea submarine cables?

Impact on Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365

Reports surfaced on September 7th, 2025, indicating notable disruptions to Microsoft cloud services – including Azure, microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365 – stemming from a major outage affecting submarine cables in the Red Sea. This incident is causing latency issues and, in some cases, outright service delays for users across Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. The core problem lies with damage to critical fiber optic infrastructure,impacting data transmission speeds and reliability.

This isn’t a localized issue; the Red Sea is a crucial conduit for internet traffic, carrying an estimated 95% of data between europe and Asia. Damage to these submarine cables creates a bottleneck, forcing data to reroute, adding milliseconds – and sometimes seconds – to connection times. For businesses relying on real-time data processing and cloud-based applications, this can translate into substantial operational challenges.

Understanding the Red Sea Cable Damage

the precise cause of the damage remains under examination, but initial reports point to potential disruptions caused by ongoing geopolitical instability in the region. While accidental damage from ship anchors is a common cause of cable outages, the current situation is being closely monitored for potential malicious activity.

Here’s a breakdown of the key factors:

critical Infrastructure: The Red Sea hosts multiple vital submarine cables, including SEA-ME-WE 3, SEA-ME-WE 4, and AAE-1.

Geopolitical Risks: The ongoing conflict in Yemen and broader regional tensions increase the risk of intentional or unintentional damage.

Repair Complexity: Repairing undersea cables is a complex and time-consuming process, often requiring specialized vessels and skilled technicians. Estimated repair times currently range from several weeks to potentially months.

Increased Scrutiny: Following similar incidents in recent months, security around critical internet infrastructure is under heightened scrutiny globally.

Specific Service Impacts & Reported Issues

Users are reporting a range of issues across Microsoft’s cloud offerings. These include:

Azure: Delays in virtual machine provisioning, slower data transfer speeds for Azure Storage, and increased latency for Azure SQL Database instances.

Microsoft 365: Sporadic issues with Teams calls, delays in email delivery via Exchange Online, and slower performance with SharePoint Online and OneDrive.

Dynamics 365: Increased loading times for Dynamics 365 Sales, Dynamics 365 customer service, and other applications. Reports of intermittent connectivity issues are also surfacing.

Power BI: Users are experiencing slower report refresh times and potential disruptions to Power BI service availability.

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is actively working with cable operators to restore service. They are also implementing mitigation strategies, such as rerouting traffic through alternative pathways. However, these workarounds are not without limitations and can contribute to continued performance degradation.

Mitigation Strategies & Workarounds for Businesses

While the situation is largely outside of individual user control, businesses can take steps to minimize the impact of the Red Sea cable outage:

1. Prioritize Non-Critical Tasks: Defer non-essential tasks that rely heavily on cloud connectivity.
2. Optimize Data Transfer: Reduce the amount of data being transferred by compressing files and optimizing data queries.
3. Leverage Caching: Implement caching mechanisms to store frequently accessed data locally.
4. Regional Redundancy (for Azure Users): If feasible, consider deploying applications and data across multiple Azure regions to improve resilience. This is a long-term strategy but crucial for business continuity.
5. Monitor Service Health: Regularly check the Microsoft 365 Service health dashboard and the Azure status page for updates.
6. Dialogue is Key: Keep employees and customers informed about potential disruptions and expected resolution times.

Ancient Context: Previous Submarine Cable Incidents

This isn’t the first time submarine cable infrastructure has been disrupted. Several incidents in recent years highlight the vulnerability of global internet connectivity:

2020: A cable cut in the Mediterranean Sea caused widespread internet outages in Egypt and other countries.

2021: Damage to a cable in the black Sea impacted internet access in several Eastern European nations.

2023: Multiple cable cuts in the Red Sea, attributed to Houthi attacks, caused significant disruptions.

These events underscore the need for greater investment in cable protection and diversification of internet routing pathways.

The Future of Submarine Cable Infrastructure

The increasing reliance on cloud services and the exponential growth of data traffic are driving demand for more robust and resilient submarine cable networks. Future developments include:

Increased Cable Capacity: New cables with higher bandwidth capabilities are being deployed to meet growing demand.

Diversification of Routes: Laying cables along different routes to reduce reliance on single points of failure.

Enhanced Cable Protection: Implementing measures to protect cables from accidental damage and malicious attacks.

* Advanced Monitoring Systems: Utilizing complex monitoring technologies to detect and respond to cable faults more