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December 2, 2008 9:43:02 AM CST

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Anchor Cut Persian Gulf Internet Cable

Posted Feb 8, 08 5:41 PM CST in World,  Technology 

(Newser) – The severed Internet cable in the Persian Gulf was the work of a 5.5-ton ship’s anchor, the AP reports. A crew from the FLAG telecommunications company, which owns the cable, found the anchor near Dubai and hauled it up; how the cut occurred is still unexplained. The incident spawned Internet-usage problems through the Middle East and areas of Asia.

FLAG has not identified the ship that dropped the anchor. The cut has sparked bloggers to question whether intent was involved; authorities have not commented. But some believe the severance calls for tougher cable security. “If ports, railways, gas pipelines and other networks are being secured against possible sabotage,” says an analyst, “we must similarly increase the security of undersea optical highways.”

Source Associated Press

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    2 Internet Cables Repaired Repairs are complete on two undersea Internet cables in the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf that were cut last month, reports the AP. UK-based Fiber-optic Link Around the Glob (FLAG) said the Persian Gulf cable was cut by an abandoned anchor, but the other cable cut remained unexplained. The damage caused massive internet blackouts and delays throughout the Mideast and parts of Asia. More »

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