The third quarter of 2025 saw substantial Internet outages worldwide, triggered by a combination of government interventions, natural disasters, and technical issues. This report outlines the key disruptions that occurred over the period, highlighting the ongoing challenges to global Internet connectivity.
Governments in various countries implemented direct Internet shutdowns during this quarter. In Sudan, traffic plummeted from July 7 to 10 between 12:00 and 15:00 UTC to facilitate the shutdown of delayed secondary school examinations. Similarly, Syria experienced sporadic Internet disruptions from July 12 to August 3, linked to nationwide exam-related shutdowns. The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq enforced Internet suspensions starting August 23, impacting examination periods until September 8. Venezuela’s SuperCable faced a widespread service loss on August 18 after the revocation of its operating authority. Moreover, the Taliban in Afghanistan enacted regional shutdowns in September to impose moral regulations, with significant repercussions for educational and commercial services.
Natural disasters and operational issues further exacerbated connectivity problems. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Kamchatka, Russia, on July 29, leading to a remarkable 75% drop in Internet traffic across affected areas, although services rebounded shortly thereafter. In Cairo, Egypt, a fire in July severely disrupted telecommunications for several providers, resulting in significant traffic impacts. Power outages, including incidents in Tanzania, the Czech Republic, Cuba, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, also contributed to Internet service failures due to infrastructure challenges or natural calamities.
Technical difficulties, including cyberattacks and undersea cable damages, were prevalent as well. YemenNet experienced a temporary disruption on August 11 from a cyberattack, which notably decreased traffic. Additionally, submarine cables faced interruptions from cuts in the Red Sea and regions such as Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, causing significant capacity reductions. On August 19, users in China encountered anomalies tied to the Great Firewall, which also led to disruptions in Internet traffic.
The trends observed during this quarter highlight a concerning pattern of Internet outages globally, driven by governmental decisions, environmental challenges, and technological failures. Effective monitoring and responsive strategies are crucial to mitigate future impacts on global Internet accessibility and maintain robust connectivity for users worldwide. As organizations and governments become increasingly aware of these issues, there is hope that collaborative efforts will lead to improved resilience in our digital infrastructure.