Amid claims of China sabotaging Taiwan's undersea internet cables, some citizens are learning how to send and receive their own emergency communications.

Taipei City

Civil defense groups in Taiwan are conducting training exercises using ham radios to prepare for possible internet outages during emergencies, such as a military attack. The exercises involve relaying information without internet access and countering misinformation, reflecting concerns about the island's preparedness for disruptions to its digital infrastructure.

These efforts follow incidents of alleged damage to Taiwan's undersea internet cables, which carry the majority of the island's internet traffic. With tensions rising due to military drills by Beijing and the strategic importance of reliable communication, ham radio is being promoted as a vital alternative for emergency connectivity.

Could ham radio help Taiwan survive wartime internet outage?

This is not a role-playing game, it's a training exercise run by a Taiwanese civil defense group. They are practicing how to stay connected without internet access during a Chinese military attack. Their tools? Walkie-talkies. People often talk about how to stay connected without internet access during an emergency. These walkie-talkies are not the toys children play with, which only work over short distances. This is a more advanced form of wireless radio technology, also known as amateur radios or ham radios. They operate on designated radio frequencies for non-commercial message exchanges and emergency communications. In Taiwan, using ham radios is a regulated hobby that requires a government-issued license. With the right gear and conditions, the signal can travel tens of kilometers, or even around the world. Participants split up into small groups in the exercise. Their mission was to find accurate information and relay it to other teams using ham radios. Meanwhile, trainers tried to interfere by feeding false information. The training took place as concerns grow in Taiwan over whether the island is prepared for a potential internet blackout. The training took place as concerns grow in Taiwan over whether the island is prepared for a potential internet blackout during a Chinese invasion. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and has staged seven major military drills around the island since 2014. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and has staged seven major military drills around the island since 2014. There have also been incidents of China-related vessels allegedly damaging undersea internet cables near Taiwan. These cables, which carry more than 90% of Taiwan's internet traffic, are considered the island's digital lifeline. If the internet goes dark, could these radios serve as a communication alternative for the Taiwanese? For these Taiwanese, ham radio is more than a hobby. It's a way to confront concerns about their home's future. For these Taiwanese, ham radio is more than a hobby. It's a way to confront concerns about their home's future. For these Taiwanese, ham radio is more than a hobby. It's a way to confront concerns about their home's future. I hope this trend will continue.

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