News and staying in touch
When the internet is gone, the old ways still work.
Getting information
- A battery or wind-up FM radio is the most reliable source in a real crisis.
- Know your national broadcaster's frequency and write it on the radio.
- Install your country's official alert app while things are normal.
Reaching people
- Text instead of calling. Texts get through busy networks.
- Agree one contact outside your area that everyone checks in with.
- Keep key numbers on paper. Your phone will be the first thing to die.
Going further
- Licence-free handheld radios cover a street or a village.
- Amateur radio reaches across countries and needs a licence.
- Keep a paper map of your area. Yes, really.
More from official sources
Updated 9 October 2026.