Taiwan chokes mobile internet speeds in drill for Chinese attack

Taiwan participated in its annual military exercise, Han Kuang, on Thursday, simulating a Chinese attack on the island. In the drill, mobile internet speeds were reduced for 30 minutes, causing disruptions to video calls, live streams, and food delivery apps, according to Ben Lewis from the analysis website PLATracker. The simulation aimed to prepare Taiwan's population of 23 million people for a potential invasion by China.

The drill began with loud sirens, prompting residents to seek shelter in underground carparks, subway stations, shopping malls, and office buildings across the capital, Taipei. While it is unlikely that the exercise would result in a complete internet shutdown, the drill aimed to provide a sense of the impact of internet disruptions and test the resilience of civilian communication and internet systems, according to Lewis.

Throughout the 10-day Han Kuang drills, which conclude on Friday, Taiwan's military conducted various combat scenarios, including joint exercises for coast guard and navy ships and medical facility simulations at underground hospitals. Hospital worker Gary Chen, 39, participated in the underground ICU exercise, expressing that experiencing such scenarios could help him better respond to emergencies in the future.