Maximum Fine of 150,000 TWD for Violations! What is the 2026 Urban Resilience Drill? Will Mobile Networks Shut Down? Full Schedule and 3 Essential Actions Across Taiwan

The schedule for the 2026 air defense drill has been announced! The 'Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill' will be conducted from August 7 to August 13, 2026, across five regions, with each region implementing 30-minute traffic and evacuation exercises. Regarding public concerns about internet outages during the Han Kuang exercise, central and northern Taiwan’s 14 counties and cities will conduct the first-ever 'mobile network throttling' test. During this period, voice calls and SMS will remain normal, but video streaming and mobile payments will slow down. Before heading out, be sure to check your county or city’s drill schedule. Failure to comply with evacuation and traffic controls may result in a maximum fine of 150,000 New Taiwan Dollars. Below is a complete overview of the 2026 Urban Resilience Drill schedule, differences between Urban Resilience, Han Kuang, and Wan’an drills, the scope of network throttling impacts, and transportation and venue restrictions—so you can respond calmly when the alarm sounds.

2026 'Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill' Schedule: August 7–13 Regional Timetable

The 2026 'Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill' will take place from August 7 to 13, with Taiwan divided into five regions—Southern, Central, Outlying Islands, Eastern, and Northern—implemented in sequence. Each region’s drill lasts 30 minutes, during which citizens will receive a 'National Alert' SMS on their phones, followed by a cancellation message upon drill completion. Notably, in Central and Northern regions, mobile network throttling exercises will be conducted alongside air defense drills. Below is the detailed regional schedule:

- Drill Region: Southern Region - Date & Time: August 7, 2026, 10:00–10:30 - Counties/Cities: Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County - Network Throttling Test: No

- Drill Region: Central Region - Date & Time: August 10, 2026, 14:30–15:00 - Counties/Cities: Miaoli County, Taichung City, Changhua County, Nantou County, Yunlin County, Chiayi City, Chiayi County - Network Throttling Test: Yes

- Drill Region: Outlying Islands Region - Date & Time: August 11, 2026, 13:30–14:00 - Counties/Cities: Kinmen County, Lienchiang County, Penghu County - Network Throttling Test: No

- Drill Region: Eastern Region - Date & Time: August 12, 2026, 13:30–14:00 - Counties/Cities: Hualien County, Taitung County - Network Throttling Test: No

- Drill Region: Northern Region - Date & Time: August 13, 2026, 14:30–15:00 - Counties/Cities: Keelung City, Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, Yilan County - Network Throttling Test: Yes

What’s the Difference Between Urban Resilience, Han Kuang, and Wan’an Drills? Understanding the 3 Drills at a Glance

Many assume Urban Resilience, Han Kuang, and Wan’an drills are three separate exercises held simultaneously—but this is not the case. The Wan’an and Min’an drills, conducted for over 40 years, have been integrated since 2025 into the 'Urban Resilience Drill' and renamed using the Gregorian calendar. In other words, the Wan’an drill hasn’t disappeared—it has evolved into the current Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill.

The Urban Resilience Drill is further divided into two categories with different implementation timelines and participants: the 'Air Defense' category, formerly the Wan’an drill, involves all 22 counties and cities; the 'Total Defense Mobilization' category integrates the former Min’an and disaster response drills.

Meanwhile, the Han Kuang Drill is the military’s annual live-fire exercise—this year, Han Kuang 42—held from August 5 to 14, primarily verifying the military’s overall defense combat capabilities. This year’s Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill will be conducted in coordination with the Han Kuang live-fire phase, forming a joint civil-military exercise.

The table below clarifies the relationships and differences:

| Drill Name | Status & Positioning | Core Purpose | Implementation Focus | |---|---|---|---| | Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill | Current; successor to Wan’an drill, integrated and renamed in 2025 | Strengthening alert, evacuation, and urban operational resilience | Alert issuance, traffic control, evacuation; first-time mobile network throttling in 2026 | | Wan’an Drill | Discontinued; integrated into Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill in 2025 | Former name of Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill | Old name, not a current standalone drill | | Han Kuang Drill | Current; Han Kuang 42 this year (August 5–14) | Verify military’s overall defense combat capability | Live-fire drills, military tactics verification, conducted jointly with Urban Resilience Drill |

3 Common Misconceptions Clarified

Is the Wan’an Drill still happening? No. The Wan’an Drill was integrated into the Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill in 2025. The old name is now historical—today’s air defense drills are its continuation.

Is the Urban Resilience Drill the same as the Han Kuang Drill? No. Han Kuang is a military live-fire drill; Urban Resilience is a civilian air defense and civil protection evacuation drill. This year, they are coordinated but remain distinct.

Why is mobile network throttling introduced only this year? Mobile network throttling is a new 2026 Urban Resilience Drill component, co-developed by the NCC and telecom providers to simulate prioritizing voice and SMS during communication congestion.

Will the Internet Be Cut Off? Scope of Mobile Network Throttling

The 'Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill' will not result in a full internet blackout. Instead, 30-minute mobile network throttling will be tested in 14 counties and cities in central and northern Taiwan. The National Communications Commission (NCC) states this simulates government and telecom operators’ response capabilities when communication infrastructure is damaged.

During the 30-minute throttling test, mobile networks (4G/5G) will be affected, but indoor fixed broadband and Wi-Fi will remain normal. Service impacts are as follows:

- Basic Communications: Normal (voice calls, SMS, emergency alerts, emergency numbers like 110, 119) - High-Traffic Services: Significantly Slower (video streaming, video conferencing, social media image loading, cloud uploads/downloads) - Real-Time Financial Services: May Be Disrupted (mobile payments requiring real-time authorization, online stock trading) - Fixed Networks & Wi-Fi: Unaffected (indoor fixed broadband, Wi-Fi connected via fixed lines)

Authorities advise avoiding critical video conferences or online transactions during the drill. When going out, pre-download offline maps and e-tickets, and carry small amounts of cash or physical credit cards. If networks don’t recover post-drill, try toggling airplane mode or restarting your phone.

3 Essential Pre-Drill Actions

Residents in central and northern regions should complete these preparations before the throttling period to avoid last-minute confusion:

- Screenshot Shelter Locations: Use the National Police Agency’s 'Air Raid Shelter Zone,' Police Service APP, or Fire Department’s 'Fire & Disaster e-Point' APP to locate nearby shelters for home, work, and frequented areas—then save screenshots on your phone. - Prepare Tickets & Maps: Pre-download e-ticket QR codes or obtain paper tickets, and download offline maps to avoid loading issues during throttling. - Prepare Offline Payments: Carry EasyCards, physical credit cards, or small cash. Avoid scheduling important video meetings or online orders during throttling hours.

Traffic & Daily Life Restrictions During the Drill: Non-Compliance Fines Up to 150,000 TWD

During the drill, all pedestrians and vehicles must comply with air defense evacuation. Refusing to follow instructions may result in fines up to 150,000 TWD. According to Article 25 of the Civil Defense Act, non-compliance with control and drill regulations may incur fines from 30,000 to 150,000 New Taiwan Dollars. Key restrictions by transport mode and venue:

- Roads & Pedestrians: Upon alarm, vehicles must immediately pull over; occupants and pedestrians must follow police and civil defense personnel to the nearest basement or shelter. Food delivery platforms will suspend all services. - Highways: Vehicles on expressways and rapid roads may continue normally. However, upon exiting to urban roads, they must pull over and shelter like regular vehicles. - Public Transit (TRA, HSR, MRT): Trains operate normally; station ticketing and gates function. But after alighting, passengers must stay within stations and follow staff to shelter in lobbies or platforms. HSR shuttle buses and taxis will suspend service. - Indoor & Commercial Spaces: Homes and offices should close windows, turn off lights and power. If in malls or restaurants, staff will guide you to the nearest shelter.

Additionally, specific venues have special rules. For example, in Taipei City, the Maokong Gondola will suspend service from 14:00 to 15:00 on August 13. Taipei Arena and Children’s New Paradise will halt operations and facility functions, and their parking lots will enforce 'entry-only, no exit' control.

2026 Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill: Frequently Asked Questions

### Why Aren’t Southern and Eastern Regions Conducting Network Throttling Tests?

Two main reasons: timing and past experience. The NCC explains that the southern drill is scheduled at 10:00 AM, coinciding with Taiwan stock market trading hours. Throttling could disrupt mobile stock trading, so only air defense drills—no throttling—are conducted in the south.

Additionally, according to Central News Agency, national security officials note that southern and eastern regions have recent real-world network outage experiences. The south faced multi-day outages due to typhoons, and the east used microwave and low-orbit satellite communications after the April 3 earthquake. Thus, testing is prioritized in densely populated central and northern regions.

### Can I Order Food Delivery or Take a Taxi During the Drill?

No. For the 30-minute drill duration, all food delivery platforms (e.g., UberEats, Foodpanda) will suspend ordering and delivery services. Delivery personnel and taxi