Taiwan throttles internet during military drills

Taiwan’s Digital Dark Age: Inside the First Island-Wide Internet Blackout DrillWhat happens when a tech-dependent society suddenly loses its digital lifeline? In August 2026, Taiwan conducted an unprecedented exercise as part of its Han Kuang war games: intentionally "throttling" mobile internet speeds across major cities, including Taipei. In today’s episode, we investigate the reality of living at 256 Kbps—a speed that makes video calls and social media impossible, simulating a coordinated attack on the island's 16 international undersea cables.We break down the "Ukraine lesson" and the rise of decentralized communications. From civil defense groups using low-power radio signals to send messages without the web, to the strategic debate over relying on satellite networks like Starlink. Join us as we explore the psychological toll of a "digital blockade" and why President Lai Ching-te called this "inconvenience" a necessary step for national survival.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scitech-brief--6846358/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.