Dubai: If your websites are loading slowly, Zoom calls keep freezing, or Netflix won’t stop buffering — you’re not alone. Internet users across the UAE have noticed disruptions after two undersea cables in the Red Sea were damaged, affecting nearly 17% of global online traffic.
While repairs are ongoing, experts say the slowdown isn’t just due to cable issues. For many households, outdated home Wi-Fi setups are a bigger reason they’re not getting the full speeds they’re paying for.
UAE Among Fastest for Fiber Speeds
According to Ookla’s Middle East Fiber and Wi-Fi Report (Q2 2025), the UAE ranked among the region’s fastest:
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Median broadband download speed: 317.98 Mbps
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Median upload speed: 147.28 Mbps
This puts the UAE on par with Qatar and Jordan in terms of fiber performance. Tests also revealed that modern Wi-Fi 6 routers can deliver over 800 Mbps — more than ten times faster than older Wi-Fi 4 models.
Why Home Wi-Fi Feels Slow
The report highlighted several reasons why UAE households may experience lag despite strong fiber infrastructure:
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Many users rely on outdated routers that cannot handle high-speed packages.
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Devices often connect to the 2.4 GHz band instead of the faster 5 GHz band.
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Popular router brands such as Huawei and TP-Link remain common, but older versions limit performance.
What You Can Do at Home
UAE residents can take simple steps to boost connectivity:
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Upgrade your router → Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 devices unlock much faster speeds.
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Plug in directly → Ethernet cables for laptops/consoles can double or triple performance.
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Consider mesh Wi-Fi → Provides stronger, more consistent coverage across large homes.
What UAE Operators Are Doing
Telecom providers are also stepping in:
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Etisalat by e& and du now provide Wi-Fi 6 routers to new customers.
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Some packages include mesh Wi-Fi or even fiber-to-the-room technology.
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Prices for gigabit internet plans have dropped, making ultra-fast speeds more accessible.
The Bottom Line
The Red Sea cable cuts highlight the fragility of global internet connectivity, but for many UAE households, the bigger bottleneck lies within their homes. With the right upgrades, residents can enjoy smooth browsing, buffer-free streaming, and glitch-free video calls — even as the world waits for repairs to the undersea cables.