Iran, January 2026: The Iranian government shut down the internet, during some of the country’s largest protests in decades.
US-based Internet monitor, IODA – short for Internet Outage Detection and Analysis – recorded almost no data traffic and US Internet infrastructure analyst Doug Madory described it as “One of the largest government-directed communications shutdowns in history.”
During that time, the Iranian government killed and arrested thousands of people, but to this day, no one knows exactly how many. Estimates of the death toll range from 7,000 to 40,000, although many observers suspect it is closer to the higher number. The lack of clarity is partly because Internet blackouts meant that communication with the outside world was almost impossible.
The behavior of the Iranian government is not unusual. In Russia, Belarus, Myanmar and Sudan, especially when governments fear resistance, the Internet has become a weapon – because people who cannot communicate cannot organize.
radio powered network
a solution These types of communication problems may be referred to as “LoRa mesh networks”.
LoRa, short for “long range,” is based on a simple principle invented for industrial purposes. Small radio modules, also known as LoRa transmitters, are routinely embedded in physical silicon chips that are used for industrial devices that connect to the Internet, things like smoke alarms, smart water or electricity meters, and environmental sensors – basically any device that requires long battery life and long-distance data transmission but only for small amounts of data.
To transmit information, these devices use license-free radio frequencies of the type available for civilian use, the same frequencies used by weather stations and garage door openers.
To create an Internet-free communications network, users must first purchase a transmitting device that uses LoRa; These can cost around €30 ($35) to €80 ($91). Users can then connect their phone to the device using special software.
LoRa devices transmit encrypted data packets over distances of several kilometers. Each device automatically forwards messages to the next one, like a baton being passed through a crowd. If one device fails, the message finds the next device nearby, via a different route. This means that the communication network that is formed can repair itself.
The result of all of the above is what is known as a “LoRa Mesh Network”.
The various transmitting devices in the network are called “nodes” and because there is no central node, there is no way to shut down the communications network. The radio module can be hidden and powered by batteries or small solar panels.
Only short messages, no pictures
The major disadvantage of such networks is that, unlike the normal Internet, users can only exchange short messages, the maximum size of which is about 237 bytes, which is equivalent to a short text message.
On the other hand, the less data transmitted, the longer distance it can travel, the less power it will consume and the less likely the radio transmission will be tracked.
The two most well-known platforms that enable this type of communication are Meshtastic and Meshcore, both of which are free to use and open source.
Both emphasize data security. Transmission devices only forward messages and cannot read the content. Third parties, including police or government agencies, also cannot intercept messages.
Meshcor’s motto is “Your communication, your keys, your control.”
That the concept works even in extreme conditions has been demonstrated by users in Ukraine. Meshtastic-UA provides a real-time network map that shows active nodes across the country; There are a lot of nodes near the front lines.
MeshCore has a similar map showing the global distribution of nodes. But there are many users who hide their location.
It is not possible to censor information sent over the LoRa mesh network. When governments choke the Internet, they do things like block Internet addresses and domains, scrutinize data packets, and legally force providers to cooperate.
For example, Russian security agencies require locally operated telecommunications companies to provide direct access to communications data. Those who do not comply lose their license. It mainly works when communication takes place over the Internet.
This is something that does not happen with LoRa mesh networks. Messages are transmitted via radio waves, bypassing firewalls and surveillance systems.
mesh network incomplete
However, there are still risks in this type of communication. For one thing, transmitters can be tracked because encryption protects the content of a message, but not the location of the sender. Officers with the right equipment can triangulate radio signals, meaning they can physically locate a transmitter within a certain distance.
Additionally, in some countries, operating unauthorized radio equipment is a criminal offense. In Iran or Russia, such devices could have serious legal consequences if found.
As with any other mesh networks – such as those that use mobile phones as transmitters – LoRa mesh networks can only work if enough people participate. If there are not enough nodes, the distance that messages can travel is limited. Building such a network takes time, which is not possible in a crisis situation.
It is unclear whether anti-government activists in authoritarian states are using LoRa mesh networks. For good reason, no one participating in such a network would want to disclose it.
However, Ukraine has demonstrated that this concept can work in the real world. The hardware and necessary software is available worldwide and the technology is mature enough that even people without much technical expertise can install it themselves.
In a world where more and more governments are using the Internet as an instrument of power, and where companies like Apple are increasingly subject to government pressure, what options are left for secure communications? A network of small radio modules may be the answer for some people.
This story was originally published in German.