National drill first tests network outage; experts list 7 essential actions for the public

Taiwan is set to conduct its "2026 Urban Resilience (Air Defense)" drills across various regions from August 7 to 13. For the first time, the drills will include a 30-minute simulated disruption of mobile networks in 14 counties and cities in the northern (including Yilan) and central parts of the island. This exercise is designed to test the robustness of communication infrastructure and the public's ability to cope with potential network outages.

In response to the upcoming drill, Kuo Chia-yu, founder of the Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association, shared seven practical steps individuals can take to prepare. He emphasizes that the 30-minute period should be treated as part of the exercise. Key recommendations include scheduling important work or payments outside the drill times, pre-arranging communication methods with family and colleagues beyond instant messaging apps, and physically locating nearby shelters and mapping alternative routes.

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The war in Ukraine has already proven that communication interruption is not an abstract hypothesis.

Further advice from Kuo includes checking if essential digital files, such as identification, emergency contacts, medical information, and travel documents, can be accessed offline. Businesses are also encouraged to conduct backup drills to ensure critical data and contact lists are accessible without cloud services. The drill also prompts individuals to test their ability to function without mobile payments, suggesting the preparation of cash and physical cards.

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The 30 minutes of network slowdown can be treated as part of the drill, and you can actually complete the following 7 tasks.

Crucially, the drill aims to foster a sense of preparedness and responsible information sharing. Kuo advises participants to practice refraining from immediately forwarding unverified information during the outage. The exercise draws parallels to the impact of the war in Ukraine, where communication disruptions have had far-reaching consequences beyond internet access, affecting everything from air raid alerts to financial transactions and rescue coordination.

Taiwan's initiative aligns with international efforts to bolster resilience against various threats, including cyberattacks, extreme weather, and large-scale power outages. The drills are not merely technical tests but aim to assess the coordinated decision-making and information sharing between government agencies, telecommunication providers, and the public to maintain essential services during a crisis. The goal is to transform the collective experience from a mere inconvenience into a valuable preparedness exercise.

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When you receive information, you can first ask: Is this an official notice, something you saw with your own eyes, or someone else's retelling? Do you really need to forward it to others immediately?