National Mesh Networks as a Strategy for Communication Resilience (dgap.org)

• Decentralized mesh networks offer an alternative when central internet points are destroyed.
• LoRa-based systems ensure low-bandwidth communication during crises.
• Domestic chip capabilities allow for secure, indigenous production of network nodes.

"To counter the fragility of centralized digital infrastructure during conflict, Dr. Valentin Weber proposes the deployment of a national mesh network in Taiwan. By utilizing decentralized LoRa nodes, the state can ensure basic text communication between government and citizens, bypassing vulnerable fiber optics and subsea cables. The massive scale of the network makes it nearly impossible to dismantle via traditional kinetic strikes. Given Taiwan’s dominance in semiconductor manufacturing, the nation is uniquely positioned to produce these units domestically, ensuring a secure supply chain and creating a model for resilient communication applicable to other geopolitical flashpoints."