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Athens FIR 'Blackout' Caused by 'Digital Noise', Investigation Finds

Published January 13, 2026, 18:07
Athens FIR 'Blackout' Caused by 'Digital Noise', Investigation Finds

The Investigation Committee concluded that the suspension of operations of the Athens FIR on January 4th was caused by "digital noise." This noise originated from the desynchronization of various systems and interfaces at the KEPATHM, leading to the unintentional activation of critical transmitters and the degradation of telecommunications connections. According to the report, the desynchronization caused the continuous transmission of signals from critical devices and disrupted basic telecommunications links. Full restoration of operation was achieved after resynchronization and restarts of the systems, as well as rerouting traffic to the core network. This incident highlights the sensitivity of critical infrastructure and the need for continuous monitoring and maintenance of systems, as well as ensuring compatibility between different technology platforms.