Severe Internet and phone service outages hit Egypt and India Wednesday after two submarine cable communication lines were severed. Submarine cable lines are the main connection lines for Internet service providers and telephony companies. The two lines that connect Egypt sit just off the coast of Alexandria. They were severed at approximately 6 a.m. local time. The accidents knocked out Internet connections throughout 70 percent of the country and international calls throughout 30 percent of the country, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
January 31st 2008