While Israel is under daily missile threats - with sirens sounding across the country and seeking shelter becoming an almost routine habit - many are encountering a technological problem: Inside the shelter, internet reception disappears. Devices are ready, smartphones are charged, the smart TV is waiting, but the internet connection simply isn’t there. Precisely in those critical moments when every second counts and families need access to alert apps, real-time news, or even a calming video call - the network disconnects.
Why does this happen?
Ironically, the reason is a positive one. The shelter is built with reinforced concrete walls and a heavy steel door designed to protect against direct hits, shrapnel, and blasts. But this physical protection comes at the expense of radio wave penetration - including Wi-Fi signals. As a result, the wireless signal from the home router gets blocked even before it reaches the sealed door.
“It greatly depends on the house layout and the router’s location,” explains Itzik Elyakim, Vice President of Engineering at Yes. “In homes where the router is located in the living room, home office, or any space far from the shelter, the chances of decent reception inside the shelter drop significantly. This becomes especially problematic when people enter the shelter with a laptop, smartphone, or smart TV and can’t use any of them properly.”
Elyakim emphasizes that while this might just be an inconvenience during normal times, in an emergency it becomes an issue that can affect a family’s functionality, sense of security, and even mental health. “Internet access is no longer a luxury. It’s a vital means of communication, functioning, and calming - and without it, staying in the shelter can go from being a protective experience to an extremely stressful one,” he says.
The solution experts suggest is relatively simple: installing a home MESH system, composed of small devices placed throughout the house to expand the Wi-Fi signal range.
“One of these devices - a range extender - should be placed inside the shelter itself,” Elyakim explains. “The ideal solution is to connect that device with an Ethernet cable directly from the main router or through the built-in wall ducts that were originally included in the shelter construction. This way, you get a continuous, fast, and reliable connection, even under heavy usage. But even without cable infrastructure, it’s still worthwhile to place a MESH device inside the shelter, because it will receive the signal and amplify it as much as possible.”
In fact, once the system is working properly, the experience of staying in the shelter transforms: children can keep watching smart TV, adults can stay up to date on news apps and websites, and even video calls with distant relatives become a calming and potentially sanity-preserving option.
“In times of emergency, anything that helps maintain routine, communication, and a sense of control is incredibly valuable,” says Elyakim. “That’s why we recommend that anyone who hasn’t yet done so, check the internet reception in their shelter today. If there’s reception - great. If not - install a range extender, and if possible, connect it with a network cable. It’s a simple step that’s not expensive. Ultimately, the internet isn’t just a technological tool. Inside a closed and isolated shelter, it’s a bridge to the outside world.”