Microsoft warns of potential Azure slowdown due to Red Sea cable outages

On September 6, 2025, Microsoft announced that users of its cloud computing platform Microsoft Azure may experience increased latency due to several fiber optic cable outages under the Red Sea.

In a service update, the company explained that the disruptions could lead to higher cross-regional data traffic, particularly for connections between Asia and Europe via the Middle East.

What is Microsoft Azure?

Azure is one of the world’s largest cloud computing platforms, offered by Microsoft through a global network of data centers. It provides individuals and enterprises with tools to build, run, and manage applications and services online.

Key services include:

• Azure Compute: Virtual machines, containers, serverless functions.

• Azure Storage: Secure, scalable storage for files, objects, and managed databases.

• Azure Networking: Virtual networks, firewalls, gateways, and other networking solutions.

• Additional services: Azure Edge, Databases, Analytics, IoT, and Security.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft began by adapting the BASIC programming language for early personal computers.

Today, it is one of the world’s largest tech companies, best known for Windows, Microsoft Office, Azure, and the Bing search engine. Its headquarters are located in Redmond, Washington, USA.