KUWAIT CITY, Jan 5: Kuwait’s internet services were disrupted on Saturday due to a fault in one of the seven international cables connecting the country to global internet networks, the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) reported on Sunday. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), CITRA explained that it was closely coordinating with the affected telecommunications company to repair the damaged cable and restore normal service as quickly as possible. The authority also indicated it was investigating the incident to ensure the company implements necessary measures, such as relying on alternative cables, to prevent similar disruptions in the future. CITRA reiterated its commitment to monitoring the performance of telecommunications companies to ensure high-quality service for all users.

Kuwait has experienced similar internet disruptions in the past due to damage to undersea cables, a critical component of international connectivity. Notably, in 2008, a major undersea cable cut affected internet services across the Gulf region, including Kuwait, causing significant slowdowns and outages. Another incident in 2015 saw disruptions due to maintenance issues with international cable networks. Each event has underscored the need for robust infrastructure planning and redundancy to safeguard internet reliability. CITRA reassures residents and businesses in Kuwait that steps are being taken to mitigate the impact of such incidents in the future and ensure the country's internet infrastructure is resilient to potential disruptions.