Red Sea cable cuts’ impact severely underestimated

RETN, the leading independent global network services provider, says that the impact of the February 2024 cable cuts in the Red Sea, which were reported to have affected 25% of Europe-Asia data traffic flow, was severely underestimated. Through its own network diagnostics and feedback from customers, major consumer ISPs in South East Asia, RETN puts the real data traffic disruption closer to 70%. Further insights have been published in its new report ‘Building the networks of tomorrow: Engineering reliability for long-term success’.

In a call to action for the industry, Tony O’Sullivan, CEO of RETN, said: “We are at a pivotal moment in network connectivity, and to be fully transparent, the industry is not equipped to meet current demands. With geopolitical events, natural disasters, cable cuts, design flaws, cybersecurity attacks and a shortage of new cables, we’re really not too far away from entire countries becoming digitally inaccessible when the one or two cables that connect them go down.

“Having the global infrastructure in place to overcome these challenges requires industry-wide investment, but that means a wide-reaching movement of prioritising customers over short-term gains. Undoubtedly, there are some key players with the power that can take actionable steps immediately to make a difference.”

O’Sullivan continues: “I hope our white paper provides that impetus to all who read it, which should also underscore our commitment at RETN to building the resilient networks of the future.”

The report also outlines how RETN responded effectively to network vulnerabilities by doubling of capacity across China and Central Asia following subsea cuts in that region. This includes prioritising terrestrial routes and ensuring multiple subsea cable systems are in place, rather than attempting to funnel traffic through fewer higher-capacity cables.

In a rapidly evolving world where geopolitical tensions, environmental shifts, and technological advancements are reshaping the global landscape, the need for resilient and secure network infrastructure has never been more urgent.

Further insights detailed in the whitepaper include:

1. Geopolitical Risks and Infrastructure Vulnerability: Geopolitical volatility, including incidents like cable cuts in the Red Sea and Strait of Malacca, underscores the need for diversified network routes to avoid single points of failure in critical regions such as Egypt and South-East Asia.

2. Supply Chain Challenges: Global supply chain disruptions, including a shortage of semiconductors and high-voltage cables, have delayed new infrastructure deployment, increasing network vulnerabilities, while specialist equipment and vessels required for cable installation are in high demand, further delaying projects and repairs.

3. Collaborative Competition and Regulatory Change: The role of regulators and big tech in shaping future connectivity is critical, as Europe faces challenges from regulatory inconsistencies and the dominance of major players, which could threaten future innovation and competition in the telecommunications market.

4. Strategic Importance of Diversified Routes: RETN exemplifies the success of a diversified network strategy with projects like TRANSKZ, a terrestrial cable connecting Europe to Asia, designed to provide low-latency, protected services, which allowed RETN to maintain performance during disruptions and serves as a model for network resilience moving forward.