Iran Protests Highlight Internet Shutdowns; LoRa Mesh Networks Offer Alternative
A look at how LoRa mesh networks can bypass internet shutdowns, with lessons from Ukraine
Quick Look
- During Iran's 2026 protests, the government's internet shutdown led to unclear death tolls.
- LoRa mesh networks, using radio frequencies, offer a censorship-resistant communication alternative, though with limitations.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Governments increasingly use internet shutdowns to control dissent, as seen in Iran's 2026 protests.
During Iran's 2026 protests, the government's internet shutdown led to unclear death tolls. LoRa mesh networks, using license-free radio frequencies, offer a censorship-resistant communication alternative. These networks, demonstrated in Ukraine, allow encrypted message transmission without internet, forming a self-repairing mesh. Though limited by message size and trackable transmitters, they provide a viable option against internet shutdowns. The technology is freely available and usable by non-experts, posing a challenge to authoritarian control.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Increased adoption of LoRa mesh networks in countries prone to internet shutdowns
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Exact number of LoRa mesh network users in authoritarian states
