Under sea internet cables need backup
11 hours ago
- #Hyperscaler Security
- #Middle East Tech
- #Data Infrastructure
- Major U.S. hyperscalers (Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft) use an Iraqi fiber-optic route along oil pipelines to channel data from the Gulf to Europe amid war risks.
- The overland route serves as a backup to vulnerable submarine cables, with live traffic already flowing to ensure continuity for banking, payment, and enterprise apps.
- IQ Networks built the Silk Route Transit, offering faster data transfer (70 ms vs. 150 ms) and plans to extend it through Turkey to Europe by early next year.
- Companies prefer 'dark fiber' on this route for greater control over security and traffic, with no third-party access to their data.
- Infrastructure relies on existing pipeline corridors for security and ease of installation, capitalizing on Iraq's stability and ready-made pathways.
- The disruptions from attacks on Amazon's facilities in March highlighted regional dependency on hyperscalers, causing app failures and service outages across sectors.
- Industry experts emphasize the need for multiple independent data routes in the Middle East to mitigate risks and ensure resilience.