A fibre optic cable connecting Finland and Sweden has been cut, leading to internet outages and suspicions of sabotage.

The damage to the cable occurred at two separate places in the cable line within Finland on Monday afternoon, according to telecoms provider GlobalConnect.

It added that the cable was based on land and repairs to the affected sites in two rural areas, Espoo and Vihti, were underway on Tuesday.

Swedish newspaper SVT reported that Finnish police suspect a criminal offence was committed in relation to the cable and are investigating.