Shutdowns, power outages, and conflict: a review of Q1 2026 Internet disruptions

In the first quarter of 2026, the global Internet landscape faced significant disruptions due to a variety of causes, including government-directed shutdowns, power outages, military actions, severe weather, and technical issues. Notably, Uganda and Iran experienced prolonged Internet blackouts orchestrated by their governments, while military conflicts led to connectivity disruptions in Ukraine and damage to AWS data centers in the Middle East. Severe weather affected Internet access in Portugal, and power outages were responsible for connectivity issues in countries like Cuba, Argentina, and Paraguay. Additionally, technical problems hit major providers like Verizon Wireless in the United States and Flow Grenada. These disruptions emphasize the vulnerability of global Internet infrastructure to both natural and human-induced events, highlighting the complexities of maintaining stable connectivity in an increasingly interconnected world.