Taiwan 'Throttles' Mobile Internet
In a first, Taiwan simulates communication disruption, affecting 17 million people, to prepare for potential outages caused by war, cyberattacks, or natural disasters
Taiwan conducted its first-ever mobile network-throttling exercise as part of its annual war games, simulating severe mobile network congestion by reducing 4G and 5G bandwidth for 30 minutes. The exercise, which took place on two separate days across 14 cities and counties in northern and central Taiwan, affected roughly 70% of the island's 23 million people, or around 17 million individuals.
The drill aimed to prepare the public for outages caused by war, cyberattacks, or natural disasters, and was designed to encourage people to prepare alternative means of communication in an emergency. During the exercise, voice calls, SMS messages, and emergency cell broadcasts continued to function, while services relying on mobile data, including video streaming and mobile payments, may have become temporarily unavailable.
The exercise was held in central Taiwan on Monday and was planned for northern Taiwan on Thursday. The National Communications Commission (NCC) expected around 17 million people, or 73% of the island's population, to be affected. Some users reported that 4G and 5G connections had slowed to the point where they could not send messages online or even load a browser homepage during the first phase of the exercise in central Taiwan.
## What happens next The exercise is part of Taiwan's efforts to prepare for potential disruptions to its communication systems. By simulating a mobile network congestion scenario, the government aims to raise awareness among the public about the importance of having alternative means of communication in place.
The drill also highlights the island's vulnerability to cyberattacks and other forms of disruption, which could have significant consequences for its economy and national security. As Taiwan continues to develop its defenses against potential threats, exercises like this one will play a crucial role in preparing the public for emergency situations.
## Context Taiwan's decision to conduct a mobile network-throttling exercise comes amid rising tensions with China, which has been increasing its military and economic pressure on the island. The exercise is a reminder of the potential risks and consequences of a conflict or cyberattack, and the need for Taiwan to be prepared to respond to such scenarios.
