Undersea Cable Breaks Cause Internet Outages in South Africa: Microsoft Data Centers Affected by Networking Event

Multiple undersea cable breaks have led to widespread internet outages in South Africa, impacting network providers such as Vodacom. The incident has sparked disruptions in connectivity between South Africa and Europe, with uncertainties about the exact location of the cable breaks.

Initial reports suggest that the undersea cable breaks occurred along Africa’s west coast, potentially near Abidjan, the capital of the Ivory Coast. Key internet cables, including the West Africa Cable System (WACS) and Google‘s Equiano cable, are affected.

This marks the second significant undersea cable disruption in the region in seven months, exacerbating the challenges faced by South African internet users. Compounding the issue, the Seacom cable along Africa’s east coast sustained damage in the Red Sea, likely caused by a ship’s anchor.

Microsoft‘s Azure services in South Africa, specifically in the North and West regions, have been impacted by the networking event. The company is actively investigating the situation to restore normal service and minimize disruptions.

The news of the cable breaks and ensuing internet outages were confirmed by various sources, including Vodacom and TechCentral. With critical internet infrastructure offline, the affected regions are working to reroute traffic and alleviate the strain on the networks.

While details about the extent of the damage and the timeline for repairs remain unclear, stakeholders in the telecommunications and tech sectors are closely monitoring the situation. Microsoft’s data centers in South Africa, positioned in Gauteng and the Western Cape, are at the forefront of the efforts to mitigate the impact of the undersea cable breaks.

NewsCentral Media reached out to Microsoft South Africa for comment on the issue, but no official statement has been released yet. Updates are expected as the investigation and restoration efforts progress.