What If the Internet Fails?

What Happens When the Internet Fails?

We take the internet for granted. Until it suddenly stops working. A major internet outage can happen at any time – and the consequences are bigger than you think. No WhatsApp, no email, no news, no contact with family. During times of crisis, communication is crucial. But what if the internet fails and you have no connection?

This isn't science fiction. Power outages, cyberattacks on digital infrastructure, natural disasters, or technical failures at providers – it happens more often than you think. In 2021, a large part of the internet went down due to an outage at a cloud provider. In 2022, a cyberattack caused outages at multiple government organizations. And during major power outages, mobile cell towers also fail.

Why Does the Internet Fail?

There are various scenarios where internet outages can occur. Some are temporary, others can last days or even weeks:

1. Major Power Outages

When power fails, mobile cell towers also go down. Many towers have backup power, but usually only for a few hours. During prolonged power outages, telephony and internet become completely unavailable. We saw this in 2019 during the major outage in Amsterdam, where thousands of households were without power and internet.

2. Cyberattacks on Digital Infrastructure

Hackers can shut down entire networks with targeted attacks. Ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure are becoming more common. An attack on a major internet provider can take millions of users offline. In 2022, a major cable company was hit, leaving thousands of customers without internet for days.

3. Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather

Floods, storms, and other natural disasters can cause physical damage to infrastructure. Cables get damaged, data centers flood, or cell towers fall over. During the historic floods, modern communication would have been completely lost. With climate change, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent.

4. Provider Failures

Even without external causes, providers can fail. Technical failures, human errors, or broken cables – it happens regularly. Usually it's resolved within hours, but sometimes it takes longer. And in emergency situations, it can take days before technicians can reach the site.

The Solution: Emergency Communication Without Internet

LocalMesh is a citizen initiative preparing the Netherlands for communication without internet. We help people use the MeshCore network – an alternative communication network that works completely independently of internet, providers, and electricity.

How Does MeshCore Work?

MeshCore is a mesh network that uses LoRa radio technology. Instead of relying on central infrastructure (like cell towers or internet cables), devices connect directly with each other. Each device forwards messages to other nearby devices, creating a large network.

Why Is Emergency Communication So Important?

During a crisis, communication is essential. You want to know if your family is safe. You want to be able to ask for help when needed. You want to receive updates about the situation. Without communication, panic and chaos are inevitable.

When Limburg was hit by extreme flooding in July 2021, telephony failed in many areas. People couldn't call for help. Emergency services had difficulty coordinating. Alternative communication could have saved lives then.

What Can You Do with MeshCore During an Outage?

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  Send text messages to family, friends, or neighbors without internet or phone
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  Share your location so people know where you are
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  Request help in emergency situations
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  Receive updates about the situation from others in the network
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  Coordinate with your neighborhood to get through the crisis together

How to Prepare for Internet Outage?

Preparation is everything. You can't wait until the internet fails before taking action. LocalMesh helps you set up a backup communication system now.

Step 1: Get an Emergency Radio Device (LoRa)

You need a small emergency radio device that can communicate with the MeshCore network. These devices cost from €50 and are easy to order from webshops. LocalMesh helps you choose the right device.

Step 2: Install the MeshCore App

Download the free MeshCore app on your smartphone (Android or iPhone). Connect your LoRa radio device via Bluetooth – as easy as pairing headphones.

Step 3: Test the System

Send test messages to other MeshCore users in your neighborhood. This ensures everything works when you really need it. Test regularly so you become familiar with the system.

Step 4: Inform Your Community

The more people participate, the stronger the network. Tell friends, family, and neighbors about LocalMesh. Organize an emergency communication plan for your street or neighborhood together.

Is the Netherlands Prepared for Internet Outage?

Honest answer: no. The Netherlands is one of the most digitized countries in the world. That's fantastic – until something goes wrong. We have no robust backup systems. Emergency services rely on mobile communication. Citizens have no alternative.

Other countries are ahead. In Japan and the US, there are citizen movements working on offline communication networks for emergencies. LocalMesh does the same in the Netherlands. We're building a safety net for when digital infrastructure fails.

Start Preparing Today

You can't predict when the internet will fail. But you can ensure you're prepared. LocalMesh makes it easy to set up a reliable emergency communication system.

Join thousands of Dutch people who are already prepared. Don't depend on systems that can fail. What if the internet fails? With MeshCore, you stay connected.