Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Major Internet Outage Hits Southeast Alaska After Cable Break

3/3/2025

26 4

Summary

Alaska Connectivity Crisis

Southeast Alaska faced major phone and internet disruptions after a subsea fiber cable snapped last Friday, leaving Juneau, the capital, in the lurch. A repair ship is on its way, but the timeline for restoring services is still uncertain. This incident highlights the region's vulnerability and dependence on reliable internet, especially after past cable failures.

Summary

Chunghwa Restores Cable

Chunghwa Telecom has successfully restored the Taiwan-Matsu No. 3 undersea internet cable, bringing relief to many. However, the No. 2 cable is still down, with repairs anticipated by March. Amid rising ship-related damages, a report calls for Taiwan to implement protective laws for undersea cables, highlighting the urgent need for better international legal measures.

History

Historical Context

Recent disruptions in Southeast Alaska's communications highlight the region's reliance on undersea fiber cables, reminiscent of past incidents like the 2024 cable failures in the Baltic Sea, which raised concerns over potential sabotage amid geopolitical tensions. Historically, undersea cables have been vulnerable to both natural and human-induced damage, underscoring the need for robust protections in an increasingly interconnected world.

1 of 3

Alaska Connectivity Crisis

Southeast Alaska faced major phone and internet disruptions after a subsea fiber cable snapped last Friday, leaving Juneau, the capital, in the lurch. A repair ship is on its way, but the timeline for restoring services is still uncertain. This incident highlights the region's vulnerability and dependence on reliable internet, especially after past cable failures.

1 / 3