Internet disruptions: Portugal & Spain blackouts + more

In this week's episode, we talk about Internet disruptions — focusing on the recent major power and Internet blackout, while also reviewing the broader Internet disruptions of Q1 2025.

Host João Tomé shares his firsthand experience during the blackout in Lisbon, Portugal, and how an old battery-powered FM radio came to the rescue. He’s joined by David Belson, Head of Data Insights at Cloudflare.

In Q1 2025, Internet disruptions were driven by cyberattacks, cable cuts, and natural disasters like the Myanmar earthquake and California wildfires. There were no government-directed shutdowns, making Q1 a rare quarter.

Mentioned blog posts:

• How the April 28, 2025, power outage in Portugal and Spain impacted Internet traffic and connectivity
• New year, no shutdowns: the Q1 2025 Internet disruption summary