AAG submarine cable was cut the third time this year. — Photo nld.com.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Asia-America Gateway (AAG) submarine cable was cut again on May 26, according to its management.

The break is located at a segment of the cable that is some 38km off the southern coastal province of Vung Tau.

The break in the cable has slowed Internet connectivity between Viet Nam and other countries. After the cut was discovered, Vietnamese internet service providers began operating via other cables to ensure customers remain connected to the internet.

It could take some two to four weeks to repair the severed cable, depending upon the weather, experts said.

This is the third time the AAG cable has been cut this year. It was earlier severed in January and April, at which time it took more than two weeks to return the cable to service.

AAG, one of four intercontinental internet cable systems in Viet Nam, and the largest, is used by major local providers FPT Telecom, VNPT, Viettel and SPT.

The 20,000km-long AAG cable was repaired three times last year.

The cable can be damaged due to a number of reasons, including shark bites or by ships' anchors.

The cable was put into use in November 2009, directly connecting Southeast Asia and the United States. It could also link Southeast Asia with Europe, Australia and Africa. — VNS