Nepal’s Internet could be disrupted by rising Gulf tensions
Nepal’s internet connectivity has seen remarkable improvements in recent years, with fixed broadband speeds now among the fastest in South Asia. However, growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly around critical maritime routes, pose an external risk that could impact global connectivity, including Nepal’s internet infrastructure.
Why the Gulf Region Matters
A significant portion of global internet traffic flows through submarine fiber-optic cables laid along major maritime corridors. The Red Sea and surrounding Gulf waters are among the most critical regions for these cables, connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
These routes pass through highly sensitive geopolitical areas, such as the Strait of Hormuz. While not all internet traffic is affected by this region, disruptions could impact multiple cable systems simultaneously, causing widespread slowdowns.
Impact of Conflict on Internet Infrastructure
In times of conflict or heightened geopolitical tensions, submarine cables face indirect risks, including:
Damage from naval activity or maritime incidents
Accidental cuts from ship anchors or drifting vessels
Delays in repair due to restricted access in conflict zones
Historically, even isolated disruptions in such regions have caused temporary slowdowns in internet speeds across affected countries.
What This Means for Nepal
Nepal lacks direct access to submarine cables and relies on upstream connectivity through India, primarily through providers such as Airtel and Tata Communications.
If disruptions occur in Gulf-linked cable routes, Nepal could experience the following:
Slower international browsing speeds
Increased latency for global services
Temporary congestion during traffic rerouting
While modern internet systems are designed with redundancy, meaning traffic can be rerouted through alternative cables, disruptions are more likely to degrade performance rather than cause complete outages.
Not a Blackout, But a Bottleneck
Although some reports suggest the possibility of a “digital blackout,” such scenarios are unlikely under normal conditions. During major cable incidents, countries typically experience reduced performance, not total shutdowns.
For Nepal, the primary concern is the combination of:
Heavy reliance on limited upstream routes
Insufficient use of alternative pathways
Exposure to external geopolitical risks beyond national control
Strategic Takeaway
The rising geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region serve as a reminder of how deeply internet infrastructure is tied to global geopolitics.
To mitigate risks and strengthen resilience, Nepal must:
Diversify its international connectivity routes
Expand use of alternative links, including northern corridors
Build redundancy into its network infrastructure
Conclusion
While conflict in the Gulf region is unlikely to cause a complete internet blackout in Nepal, it can still have a significant impact on speed and reliability. As Nepal continues to advance its digital infrastructure, ensuring stable and diversified international connectivity will be essential, not only for performance but also for long-term digital security.
