Taiwan Simulates Mobile-Internet Slowdown During August Civil-Defence Drills

On August 10 and August 13, 2026, Taiwan will deliberately reduce mobile-internet speeds for 30 minutes in a nationwide civil-defence exercise. The slowdown will affect high-bandwidth services—video calls, streaming and social-media images—in 14 cities and counties across the island’s northern and central regions, an area home to roughly 70 percent of the population. Essential services such as ATMs, traffic signals and emergency ambulance calls will remain operational.

The Straits Times

The drill tests how citizens and agencies communicate when bandwidth becomes scarce during emergencies ranging from natural disasters to a potential Chinese invasion. Planning documents indicate the exercise is part of a broader effort to prepare for “compound disasters,” including scenarios of blockades, cyber-attacks, or undersea-cable disruptions that have previously exposed Taiwan’s vulnerability. A parallel publicity campaign, featuring television ticker messages, will disseminate guidance on backup communication methods.

UsNews and World Report

Taiwanese officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the exercise aims to encourage both government bodies and the public to develop alternative contact strategies. They highlighted recent increases in Chinese coast-guard activity off Taiwan’s Pacific coast as a catalyst for heightened preparedness. The officials also referenced similar communications-resilience drills in Japan and Singapore, describing the practice as a “global trend.”

UsNews and World Report

By simulating a bandwidth bottleneck, Taiwan seeks to identify practical fallback options—landlines, fixed-line internet, or walkie-talkies—and to ensure families have pre-arranged meeting points. The drill underscores the island’s strategic focus on maintaining civil resilience amid escalating cross-strait tensions and repeated undersea-cable incidents.

UsNews and World Report

• “We hope the current drills will not only involve central government agencies, but also help the public strengthen their own preparations for using different communication methods,” — senior Taiwan security official

The Straits Times

• “We hope the public will think ahead about possible backup options, and consider what impact or changes there may be during those 30 minutes,” — second senior security official

The Straits Times

• “It is a “global trend” for governments to run disrupted communications drills, the official added, citing examples from Japan and Singapore.” — senior Taiwan security official

The Straits Times

• “Such options could include landlines, fixed-line internet or even walkie-talkies, the official said, adding that people should agree in advance on ways to contact family members and sites to meet them.” — senior Taiwan security official

The Straits Times

• “A publicity campaign, including television ticker messages, will spread guidance on how citizens should respond, the official added.” — senior Taiwan security official

The Straits Times