Story perspectives

Iran Enacts Massive Internet Blackout, Bans LoRa Mesh Devices

7/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Iran shut down the internet in January 2026 during protests; IODA recorded almost no traffic, and Doug Madory called it one of the largest shutdowns in history.
LoRa mesh networks use battery- or solar-powered nodes to forward encrypted messages up to about 237 bytes over several kilometres.
Platforms Meshtastic and MeshCore claim police cannot read the content, while authorities triangulate signals to locate transmitters, as Iran and Russia ban unauthorized LoRa equipment.

1 of 1

Story summary

Iran shut down the internet in January 2026 during protests; IODA recorded almost no traffic, and Doug Madory called it one of the largest shutdowns in history.
LoRa mesh networks use battery- or solar-powered nodes to forward encrypted messages up to about 237 bytes over several kilometres.
Platforms Meshtastic and MeshCore claim police cannot read the content, while authorities triangulate signals to locate transmitters, as Iran and Russia ban unauthorized LoRa equipment.