Noor was the service provider for many businesses, as well as the country's stock exchange and controlled about 8 percent of the country's Internet connections.
The government's order has come amidst protests and riots in Egypt demanding the end of the Hosni Mubarak regime, and the implementation of a new government "that represents the interests of the Egyptian people." Most believe the Internet cutoff is an attempt by the government to halt the use of social networking sites as a tool for the protesters to organize themselves.
Egyptians can still use mobile phones and landline telephones to communicate.
(Pic via Getty)