Taiwan to Test Slowed Internet During Civil Defence Drills Amid China Threat

Taiwan plans to deliberately slow mobile internet speeds for the first time during its annual civil defence drills in August. This unprecedented measure aims to test how citizens would communicate if bandwidth becomes scarce during emergencies, such as natural disasters or a potential Chinese invasion.

The 30-minute slowdown will render high-bandwidth services like video calls, streaming, and image sharing unavailable across 14 cities and counties in northern and central Taiwan, areas where about 70% of the population resides. This exercise is part of Taiwan's broader effort to enhance preparedness amid increasing military pressure from China.

“

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.

Officials stated the drills are intended not only for central government agencies but also to help the public strengthen their own preparedness for using alternative communication methods. This comes as China continues to increase military activities around the island, prompting Taiwan to plan for potential communications disruptions from blockades, cyberattacks, or invasion scenarios.

Communications resilience has become a critical strategic concern for Taiwan, especially after recent undersea cable breaks exposed vulnerabilities. The government is also conducting drills for "compound disasters," preparing for cascading crises that could range from earthquakes to war. While key services like ATMs and emergency calls will remain unaffected, authorities hope the public will consider backup options such as landlines, fixed-line internet, or even walkie-talkies, and pre-arrange communication plans with family.

“

We hope the public will think ahead about possible backup options, and consider what impact or changes there may be during those 30 minutes.