Could 'mesh networks' help overcome authoritarians' internet blocks?
LoRa mesh networks, which use radio waves, could be a solution to internet shutdowns in authoritarian states, but they have limitations – only short texts can be transmitted and transmitters can be tracked.
Internet shutdown as a weapon
In January 2026, Iran experienced one of the largest protest movements in decades. In response, the government shut down the internet entirely. The US-based internet monitor IODA registered almost no data traffic, and internet infrastructure analyst Doug Madory described it as "one of the largest government-directed communication shutdowns in history." During that time, the Iranian government killed and arrested thousands of people, but the exact death toll remains unknown – estimates range from 7,000 to 40,000, with many observers suspecting the higher number is closer to reality. This lack of clarity is partly because the internet blackout made communication with the outside world almost impossible.
Such behavior is not unusual. In Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, and Sudan, especially when governments fear resistance, the internet has become a weapon – those who cannot communicate cannot organize.
LoRa mesh networks
One solution for these sorts of communications crises could be what is known as a "LoRa mesh network." LoRa, short for "long range," is based on a simple principle invented for industrial purposes. Small radio modules, or LoRa transmitters, are embedded into silicon chips used in devices that require long battery life and long-range data transmission but only for small amounts of data – such as smoke alarms, smart water or power meters, and environmental sensors.
To form an internet-free communications network, users first need to purchase a LoRa transmitter, which can cost from about €30 to €80. Then users can connect their phone to the device using special software. The LoRa devices transmit encrypted data packets over a distance of several kilometers. Each device automatically forwards messages to the next one, like a baton being passed through a crowd. If any single device fails, the message finds the next nearby device via a different route, meaning the network can repair itself.
Because there is no central node, the network cannot be shut down. The radio modules can be hidden and powered by batteries or a small solar panel.
Limitations and risks
The major disadvantage is that, unlike the ordinary internet, users can only exchange smaller messages – a maximum size of around 237 bytes, equivalent to a short text message. The less data transmitted, the longer it can travel, the less power it consumes, and the less likely the radio transmission can be tracked.
Two of the best-known platforms that enable this type of communication are Meshtastic and MeshCore, both free and open-source. Both emphasize data protection – the transmitting devices merely forward messages and cannot read the content. Third parties, including police, cannot intercept the messages either. MeshCore's motto is "your communications, your keys, your control."
However, there are risks. Transmitters can be tracked – encryption protects the content but not the sender's location. Authorities with the right equipment can triangulate the radio signals. Additionally, in some countries, operating unauthorized radio equipment is a criminal offense. In Iran or Russia, being found in possession of such devices can have serious legal consequences.
Real-world proof in Ukraine
That the concept works even under extreme conditions has been demonstrated by users in Ukraine. Meshtastic-UA offers a real-time network map showing active nodes throughout the country; there are many nodes near the front lines. MeshCore has a similar map showing global distribution of nodes. Many other users conceal their locations.
Are activists using it?
It is unclear whether anti-government activists in authoritarian states are using LoRa mesh networks at all. For good reason, anyone taking part in such a network would prefer not to reveal it. However, Ukraine has demonstrated that the concept can work in the real world. The hardware and required software are freely available worldwide, and the technology is mature enough that even people without a lot of technical expertise can set it up themselves.
In a world where more and more governments are using the internet as an instrument of power, and companies like Apple are increasingly subject to government pressure, a network of small radio modules could be the answer for some.
