Most likely, because Freelancer as a game uses the "UDP" network protocol, which suffers heavily from packet loss (it's upside is less server overhead, and less bandwith overhead). UDP does not have fault tolerance, the other common protocol, TCP does. This is why you can still access the forums, it'll just retransmit the dropped packets automatically until all the info is there.
The game itself compensates for loss by retransmitting from the application once it realises not all info has reached the server. This causes lag, jumpiness and eventually a disconnect. Try connecting to the Freelancer UK server, or first person shooter games like Halflife, to euro servers. I suspect you'll see exactly the same problems.
Speaking of lag, server had a big spike just now. I took the opportunity to check if it was network related. Here's the MTR results while the server's giving everyone connection errors:
Wide awake in a world that sleeps, enduring thoughts, enduring scenes. The knowledge of what is yet to come.
From a time when all seems lost, from a dead man to a world, without restraint, unafraid and free.
Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.