Iran's Internet Blackout During Protests
In January 2026, Iran saw some of its biggest protests in decades, and mesh networks emerged as a challenge to authoritarian internet shutdowns. During this period, the government shut down most internet services. An American internet monitoring group called IODA found almost no data traffic. Another expert, Doug Madory from the US, said this was one of the biggest internet blockades in history. Without internet access, people couldn't share or get information about what was happening. Reports on the number of deaths and arrests varied, with guesses ranging from 7,000 to as high as 40,000. Many experts believed the higher number was more accurate, but exact figures remain unknown. This lack of clear information was partly due to the shutdown, which made it hard to share news with the outside world.
Iran is not the only country where governments have blocked internet access. Similar tactics have been seen in Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, and Sudan. These actions usually happen when the government senses resistance or unrest. The main idea is that if people can't communicate, they can't organize. This makes it harder for groups to coordinate and for people to share information with others outside their communities.
Understanding Mesh Networks
One potential solution to these communication issues is a decentralized system called a LoRa mesh network. Originally designed for industrial use, such as in environmental sensors and smart meters, LoRa uses radio frequencies that don't require licenses. This means it can operate without needing approval from telecom regulators. People can buy small devices, called LoRa transmitters, that connect to smartphones through special software. The cost of these devices ranges from about €30 to €80.
These networks work by having each user act as a relay. Messages move through a chain of users, and if one person drops out, the message goes to the next available person. This creates a network that can adapt and keep working even if parts of it fail. Because there is no central point, it's very hard to shut down the entire system. The devices are often powered by batteries or small solar panels, making them hard to track and detect.
Privacy and Constraints
Two of the most well-known platforms that use LoRa technology are Meshtastic and MeshCore. Both are free to use and built on open-source code, with a strong focus on keeping data secure. All messages are encrypted, meaning only the sender and recipient can read them. Even authorities or outside parties can't access the content. MeshCore even uses the motto 'your communications, your keys, your control' to emphasize how much control users have over their data.
While these systems have many benefits, they do come with limitations. LoRa devices can only send very small messages, around 237 bytes in size. That is about the size of a short text message, so sending pictures or videos isn't possible. But because the data is small, it can travel farther and uses less power, making it harder to track. People in difficult situations, like in Ukraine, have used these systems. Maps of active nodes in Ukraine, especially near battlefronts, show how widely they're being used.
Even though these networks are great at getting around internet censorship, they aren't perfect. While message content is encrypted, the location of the transmitters can still be tracked. That means, in certain cases, someone could figure out where the sender is, even if they don't see what was sent. However, many people believe the trade-off is worth it. The ability to stay in touch when everything else is being controlled or monitored makes these networks a powerful tool.