Internet Routing Challenges: Almaty to New York via London
When your internet traffic travels from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to New York, USA, you might expect it to follow the shortest possible path. However, GeoCables data confirms that routing often deviates significantly from this ideal. Instead of traversing Eurasia and the Atlantic along the shortest route of 10,268 km, data packets can detour by as much as 5,599 km, passing through London, UK, before crossing the Atlantic. This extended path results in a round-trip time (RTT) of 717 ms, approximately seven times longer than the theoretical minimum of 103 ms achievable with optimal routing through optical fiber.
Key networks along the route: who and why?
Traffic on this route traverses several autonomous systems (AS), each representing a major provider or network operator. In Almaty, the journey begins with AS60930 Signal Telecom LLP, a local Kazakhstani operator. Subsequent stages are handled by AS9002 RETN Limited, an international transit operator with a robust network of peering connections. AS9002 RETN Limited appears multiple times along the route, reflecting its pivotal role in facilitating transit.
The reasons for these routing deviations are rooted in the economics of peering and transit. Direct connections between Kazakhstan and the USA via less congested routes, such as through eastern Russia or China, are either unavailable or underdeveloped. London, as a major landing point for submarine cables and a global internet hub, becomes a natural transit choice despite its geographical distance.
Practical implications for users
A delay of 717 ms has significant consequences for users. Video calls become highly challenging: delays exceeding 250 ms disrupt the natural flow of conversation, leading to frequent pauses and interruptions. Online gaming, which demands minimal RTT (typically under 50 ms), becomes impractical, particularly in genres where reaction time is critical, such as first-person shooters. Cloud services, including remote data storage and virtual desktops, experience severe slowdowns, as each request and response takes longer than acceptable. High-frequency trading, where every millisecond is crucial, is rendered unfeasible with such delays.
Geopolitical and infrastructure context
Routing traffic from Almaty to New York via London highlights broader infrastructural and geopolitical dynamics. Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, has historically faced challenges in integrating into the global internet infrastructure. A limited number of submarine cables and weak regional routing compel operators to rely on international hubs like London or Amsterdam.
Geopolitical factors also influence routing decisions. Restrictions on transit through neighboring countries, such as China and Russia, can affect route selection, even when those routes are geographically more direct. Consequently, traffic "takes a detour," leading to significant delays.
Real-world events: a live context
Amid these routing patterns, the region has recently experienced several natural events. GeoCables recorded a 5.1-magnitude earthquake 76 km south of Daroot-Korgon, Kyrgyzstan, just 623 km from Almaty, on June 3, 2026. However, GeoCables confirms that this event did not impact routing. Similarly, earthquakes of magnitude 4.9, 57 km north-northwest of Huocheng, China, and 4.6, 24 km north-northwest of Kazarman, Kyrgyzstan, were also unrelated to this route. While these events are significant for understanding regional dynamics, they are not the cause of traffic deviations.
GeoCables data underscores that routing through London is driven by infrastructural and economic factors rather than temporary natural or social phenomena.
GeoCables findings highlight how far the global internet infrastructure is from achieving ideal routing. Instead of following the shortest path, data packets often traverse routes shaped by peering economics, geopolitical realities, and infrastructural constraints. For users, this results in delays, reduced service quality, and the need to adapt to the complexities of the global network. Enhancing regional infrastructure and integrating local networks more effectively with the global internet are essential steps toward minimizing such detours and achieving more efficient connectivity.
