If Your Internet Or 3G Was Slow(er) This Week, It Wasn't TM's Fault
Now downloading your favourite TV series will take ages!
By Darian Goh — 18 Sep 2014, 02:10 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
If you feel like your Internet provider is ripping you off with snail paced speeds, stop. It's not their fault.
If you have been experiencing exceptionally slow Internet speeds, even when connected to Unifi, you're not alone.
lowyat.netThe news at least explains why the internet has been so lousy for many people today, including this author — so we can put those conspiracy theories on hold for another day.
An underwater sea cable called the Asia America Gateway (AAG) broke, causing Internet speeds in the Southeast Asian region to crawl considerably
An underwater sea cable called the Asia America Gateway (AAG) broke, causing Internet speeds in the Southeast Asian region to crawl considerably.
Image via blogspot.comA fault on the Asia America Gateway (AAG) submarine cable system is causing data degradation, affecting Internet users in the Southeast Asian region accessing sites based in the US
lowyat.netThere’s bad news if you’re in Southeast Asia today after a key cable responsible for providing internet to the region broke, sending browsing speeds plummeting to a snail’s pace.
Saigoneer.com cites Vietnamese reports that claim an Asia-America Gateway (AAG) cable has been breached somewhere between Hong Kong and Vietnam. An executive from FPT Telecom confirmed the incident to local media, although it isn’t clear how this happened.
This means you're affected, whether you're a Unifi user or you use another Internet service provider. Access to sites such as Facebook and even messaging apps like WhatsApp will slow down.
Access to sites such as Facebook and even messaging apps like WhatsApp will slow down.
Image via whysofamous.comThe faulty AAG cable also means that virtually all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Malaysia will face a similar issue – though Telekom Malaysia (TM) is the only ISP to have confirmed the issue.
lowyat.netUsers on Streamyx and Unifi have and will continue to experience occasional packet loss and high pings when accessing US-based servers, resulting in exceptionally slow loading times for sites like Facebook, Twitter and other sites with US-based servers. Even messaging apps like WhatsApp will see some slowdown in sending and receiving messages.
lowyat.netMalaysia's main Internet provider TM has stated that repairs are currently underway although there is no estimated time of completion
#TMAlerts 1/2 we are experiencing some degradation of data traffic to and from the US due to a fault on the AAG submarine cable system.
— TMConnects (@TMConnects) September 17, 2014
#TMAlerts 2/2 repairs are underway to repair a fault on the AAG submarine cable system. We will share updates as they become available.
— TMConnects (@TMConnects) September 17, 2014
The last cable break occurred two months ago took two weeks to repair. However, efforts to repair the current fault will take longer as Hong Kong is currently facing Typhoon Kalmaegi, where the cable lies.
Efforts to repair the current fault will take longer as Hong Kong is currently facing Typhoon Kalmaegi, where the cable lies.
Image via lowyat.netThe last cable break — which occurred just two months ago — took two weeks to be repaired. There’s no timeframe for fixing the latest issue, but those of us affected are obviously hoping (/praying) that things will return to normal sooner rather than later.
In its update on the matter, TM has revealed that repairs are underway to fix the cable, though there is no estimated time of completion; this is a 20,000km cable we’re talking about. The fault appears to be located in the cable connecting Vung Tau (a coastal city in southern Vietnam) and Hong Kong, where the incident was recorded to take place at about 11:41pm on Monday (September 15). Worse still is the fact that repairs will take longer than usual, as Hong Kong is currently facing Typhoon Kalmaegi.
malaysiandigest.com
Typhoon Kalmaegi started from the Philippines, and has affected countries such as Vietnam, China, and most recently, Hong Kong
Typhoon Kalmaegi started from the Philippines, and has affected countries such as Vietnam, China, and most recently, Hong Kong
Image via scmp.comA powerful typhoon has hit China's Hainan Island after sweeping past Hong Kong where it disrupted flights and forced the closure of the stock market and container ports. Typhoon Kalmaegi buffeted Hong Kong with gusts of up to 98mph (159kph) as it barrelled west, injuring 29 people, felling scores of trees and causing floods and a landslide.
theguardian.com
Typhoon Kalmaegi left at least 10 people dead in the Philippines and caused landslides, flash floods and storm surge Sunday. The storm generated heavy winds and large waves which sank a stalled ferry over the weekend, killing eight people. Hong Kong announced the storm has forced them to delay Tuesday's trading sessions and close banks, according to Bloomberg.