Taiwan Tests Mobile Internet Slowdowns During Military Drills

The government of the Republic of China is conducting its first-ever mobile-internet slowdown drills as part of annual military exercises. These simulations, designed to mimic air attacks on communications infrastructure, reduce 5G speeds for 30-minute intervals on two afternoons in August 2026. The drills aim to alert the public to the risks of a Chinese attack and promote the adoption of alternative communication methods.

To address long-term vulnerabilities such as undersea cable cuts, Taiwan is pursuing diverse satellite options. The Taiwan Space Agency is developing indigenous Low Earth Orbit satellites for a 2028 launch. Additionally, the government is relaxing foreign-ownership rules to facilitate the entry of Starlink, operated by Space Exploration Technologies Corp, while OneWeb, operated by Eutelsat, currently provides limited services.

Initial responses in Taipei suggest significant public indifference or unawareness. Despite the government pushing urgent cellphone alerts to citizens, many residents remain uninformed about the purpose of the slowdowns.