Taiwan Conducts First Simulated Internet Throttling Drill

As part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises, Taiwan recently executed a strategic test of its digital infrastructure by intentionally slowing mobile internet speeds. For a duration of 30 minutes, mobile data in Taipei and several other major cities was throttled to 256 Kbps, effectively limiting connectivity to basic text-based communication. This exercise was designed to evaluate how the island’s population and emergency systems would function if faced with a deliberate disruption of digital services, such as a cyberattack or a blockade by China.

The initiative marks the first time such a network-throttling drill has been integrated into the nation's civil defense training. While mobile data was heavily restricted, officials ensured that critical infrastructure remained functional. Essential services, including voice calls, text messaging, and emergency hotlines like 110 and 119, continued to operate without interruption. Furthermore, fixed-line broadband and Wi-Fi services were excluded from the test, allowing for a controlled simulation of communication degradation.

Defense Minister Koo Li-hsiung emphasized that these drills are vital for assessing the military’s command-and-control capabilities under adverse conditions. By simulating a scenario where high-bandwidth data is unavailable, the government aims to prepare citizens and public services for potential wartime scenarios or major natural disasters. The exercise was conducted in tandem with broader air-raid drills, which saw residents directed to designated shelters as part of a comprehensive urban resilience strategy.

While the test provided valuable data, some analysts noted that a 30-minute window cannot fully replicate the complexities of a sustained, unannounced cyber offensive. Additionally, the exclusion of certain regions, such as the eastern part of the island, highlighted the government's careful approach to balancing tactical readiness with the maintenance of critical regional network capabilities. As tensions across the Taiwan Strait persist, officials have indicated that similar resilience drills may be expanded to other areas in the future to further strengthen the island's national communication security.