Telecommunications Blackouts Cast Shadow Over Egypt

There are growing fears that travel companies may be wholly cut off from their staff and customers in Egypt amid the continuing civil unrest there.

 

Widespread reports claim that the government has implemented an internet and phone blackout in the country, in a bid to disrupt the organisation of the protests which have erupted in the country during the past week.

 

According to the internet site Wired.co.uk, Blackberry and mobile text messaging has been suppressed.

 

The Arabist, a respected blog that has been commentating on the events in Egypt, has stated that DSL and 3G services have been halted in Cairo. The most prominent Egyptian ISP’s have also reported a crash in the level of internet traffic.

 

The blackouts appear to have been implemented after the Associated Press aired footage of a protestor being shot. While it is not clear whether the blackouts are caused by ISP’s or from another source, it is evident that that communications between Egypt and the rest of the world are being effectively cut off.

 

Rumours have abounded online that the blackout is part of a major, possibly violent crackdown on protestors orchestrated by the government. If this were to be the case, the alleged ‘crack-down’ was dealt a huge blow last night when the heads of the powerful Egyptian army issued a statement saying they would not use violence or force against peaceful protestors.