Sometimes, you might turn off your home internet or cell network so you can disconnect and enjoy down time, but how often do you hear a country doing that for you? Well, according to The Guardian and the BBC, Bali is going to shut off the Internet country wide for 24 hours this coming Saturday in recognition of Nyepi, or Balinese New Year.
Apparently, Indonesia is one of the world’s most connection nations; their government even shuts down the international airport on the day of silence.
Per The Guardian, a spokesperson from the Bali communication ministry, Nyoman Sujaya, told Bali-based Tirto.id: “It was agreed that internet on mobile phones will be cut. All operators have agreed.” This is the first time such an agreement is in place, as last year’s required was denied, The Guardian reports. WiFi connections will still be available at hotels, and for strategic services like disaster agencies, security, aviation and hospitals. Talking about home WiFi, it’s still under consideration to be shut down.
“If the internet is disconnected, people will not die,” joked Balinese governor Made Pastika to reporters on site. “I will turn off my gadgets during Nyepi.”
