VietNamNet Bridge – Since 2am this morning (December 27), all ADSL lines of VDC, FPT, Viettel systematically have become disconnected from the global network. However, all domestic websites are operating normally.

The Trans-Pacific line, linking Asia with America, became totally paralysed, seriously affecting Vietnam

According to the preliminary survey, the situation resulted from the 7.2 Richter scale earthquake occurring in Southern Taiwan at 7.34pm (Vietnam timezone) on December 26, which caused the disconnection of several cable lines in the China – Taiwan – Hongkong network.

Specifically, the Trans-Pacific line, linking Asia with America, became totally paralysed, seriously affecting Vietnam, where 70% of Internet access is conducted via this system. The whole morning witnessed the malfunction of FPT and Viettel networks.

The Internet line service by VDC was operating at a sluggish pace in the morning, but soon became stuck and overloaded when all officials began their working day at 9am.

Websites with servers of DNS domain and hosts outside Asia were unable to be accessed. In other words, the Internet network in Asia was totally isolated from the rest of the world.

According to Mr le Huu Hien, Director of the Viettel Internet Corporation, the 155Mps in connection with NTT and Telegros (Japan) is now operating smoothly. However, only 30% and 10% of the 155Mps in connection with PCCW (Hongkong) and China Telecomis, respectively, are accessible. Now, Viettel is trying to restart the precautionary communications system but it seems a hard job, especially with many overseas IT experts on holiday.

According to a report by the Ministry of Posts and Telematics, it is the sharp decrease in international Internet volume and the overload of domestic Internet users that makes the problem even more critical.

Clearly, such an unexpected incident has caused much trouble for not only Vietnam but also countries in all of Asia.

Huy Phong