Click Here Smuggling signals out of Iran
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Mar 10, 2026 Ahmad Ahmadiyan, an Iranian-born nonprofit director working on connectivity, and Bezad, an on-the-ground Tehran source, describe life under blackouts. They recount how Starlink became a lifeline and how thousands of terminals were smuggled in. They explain DIY disguises like solar-panel tricks and how leaked satellite signals challenged state narratives.
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Shutdown Strategy Shifted To Total Blackouts
- Iran escalated from throttling (2022) to near-total shutdown (2026), reducing nationwide connectivity to about 1% during strikes.
- The deeper cut made organizing, receiving evacuation alerts, and sharing footage far harder for civilians.
On The Ground Testimony From Tehran
- Bezad described living through bombing and scarce reliable information inside Tehran during the blackout.
- People relied on word of mouth and satellite users to learn of major events like the Supreme Leader's death.
Preposition Independent Connectivity Before Crises
- Prepare civilian communication resilience by pre-positioning independent connectivity options before shutdowns occur.
- Holistic Resilience's work shows earlier adoption of satellite gear enabled information flow when state networks were cut.