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Technical Help & Discussion => Broadband, Networking, PC Security, Internet & ISPs => Topic started by: Clive on January 31, 2011, 14:12

Title: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: Clive on January 31, 2011, 14:12

As protesters take to the streets in Egypt, the government has reportedly shut down the Internet. How does that work? Does Egypt's Internet have an on/off switch?

http://www.slate.com/id/2283000/

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: sam on January 31, 2011, 14:45

quite simply when you don't have the mess that we do.

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: Rik on January 31, 2011, 17:06

What mess were you thinking of, Sam?

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: sam on January 31, 2011, 18:35

lots of isps.

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: sam on January 31, 2011, 18:35

though I guess for hard wired, its just a few cables..

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: Baz on January 31, 2011, 18:37

do BT have networks there  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: Rik on January 31, 2011, 18:41

Quote from: sam on January 31, 2011, 18:35

lots of isps.

But the majority of them use BT Wholesale products, Sam, while the others use just 2 or 3 other carriers. The carriers would be the ones to cut off the service, and we know they can do it in the case of BT, as they managed to for IDNet in October. :)

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: sam on January 31, 2011, 19:55

true, but don't we also have more pipes in and out of the UK than egypt?

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Technology/Pix/pictures/2008/02/01/SeaCableHi.jpg

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: Rik on February 01, 2011, 11:29

We do, Sam, but afaik, they're controlled by just a few companies. Those companies only need to turn the fibre to their clients off to shut the system down, users then wouldn't be able to reach the net at all.

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: sam on February 01, 2011, 15:27

I bet there are more satellite users around the place too though

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: Rik on February 01, 2011, 16:00

Not that many, Sam, satellite is still very expensive so tends to be a supplier of last resort.

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: sam on February 01, 2011, 16:28

true, but I bet we would be better placed to get around a blockade than Egypt

Title: Re: How did the Egyptian government turn off the Internet?
Post by: Simon on February 01, 2011, 16:38

One would hope that we never have to find out.  :)