Several major subsea internet cable projects planned to run through the Red Sea are facing significant delays. Political tensions and security threats in the region have made laying and maintaining these vital cables much more difficult than expected.
One of the biggest projects affected is Meta Platforms Inc.’s 2Africa cable, a 45,000-kilometer system meant to circle the African continent. Although Meta and its partners hoped to complete it by now, the part passing through the southern Red Sea remains unfinished. Meta said this is due to regulatory hurdles, political risks, and operational challenges tied to the region’s instability.
Google-backed initiatives, like the Blue-Raman cable, are also experiencing hold-ups, though Google has not given specific reasons. Other cables waiting to become operational in the Red Sea include India-Europe-Xpress, Sea-Me-We 6, and Africa-1. Companies behind these projects have stayed quiet when asked about the delays.
Subsea fiber-optic cables carry over 95% of global internet traffic by running along ocean floors. The Red Sea’s route is one of the shortest and most cost-effective paths connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. Yet the area’s ongoing conflicts and strict permit requirements make building on the seabed extremely challenging.
An added danger comes from missile attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces controlling parts of the Red Sea. These attacks have forced cargo ships to take long detours and disrupted ships laying or fixing cables in the area. This situation not only slows down cable work but also raises costs and limits internet access for under-served countries, where connections stay slow and expensive.
The delays are costly for the companies involved. They cannot earn money from the unused cables and must pay for extra capacity elsewhere. For example, the Ireland-based subsea fiber company Aqua Comms sold at a discount recently, citing ongoing conflict as the reason for indefinite delays on parts of the 2Africa cable.
Getting permits to install cables in the Red Sea means negotiating with multiple groups controlling the strait. Security risks for specialized cable ships and their crews add another layer of concern.
To reduce risk, Meta is involved in about 24 cable projects worldwide, trying to ensure internet traffic has multiple routes. Some companies are exploring overland paths through Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, or even Iraq. Although these routes were previously seen as expensive or risky, they now seem more practical alternatives.
There is also talk of seeking U.S. government exemptions to work directly with the Houthi-controlled authorities in Yemen for needed permits. Some companies may ask NATO for help to protect cable operations.
Experts warn the Red Sea is a dangerous single point of failure in the global internet network. Moving traffic away from this corridor could create a stronger and more reliable system connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. For now, however, internet cables through the Red Sea remain stuck in limbo amid ongoing conflict and uncertainty.