If you’ve worked with 2wcom before, you remember Werner Drews — founder and long-time CEO of the company. Today, he’s enjoying early retirement with his wife, currently spending some time in Spain and enjoying a slower pace of life.
A normal morning: sunrise with coffee, a view of the ocean, a bit of news on the laptop, messages on the phone. Everything just works.
Until it didn’t.
That day, they set out on a hike — 18 kilometers with 1,000 meters of elevation. On the way back, they stopped for groceries. Some shelves were empty. Shops were closing around 5 p.m. Strange, but not alarming.
It wasn’t until they got home — and climbed twelve floors on foot because the elevator was out — that the truth hit:
No power. No internet. No mobile signal.
“We had no idea what was going on. Everything was down.”
To find out more, they sat in their car and turned on the radio.
That’s how they finally learned: a massive blackout had hit large parts of Spain, Portugal, and France.
In the Silence, Radio Speaks
Across the region, people gathered wherever a battery-powered radio was playing.
“In bars, train stations, workshops, and on the street — the radio became the most important source of information,” a local article described.
Authorities used it to communicate: stay calm, stay home, avoid unnecessary travel.
With hospitals and radio stations running on backup generators, broadcast radio became the only connection left.
Built for Moments Like This
At 2wcom, we’ve always believed in the importance of resilient communication.
This event is a clear reminder: when the digital world fails, radio doesn’t.
Our systems are built for exactly these situations:
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Emergency-capable rebroadcasting
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Robust FM/DAB+ distribution
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Redundant satellite and IP signal chains
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Hardware designed to work under pressure
In a crisis, clarity matters — and radio delivers.
When the Lights Returned
Nearly ten hours later, the power came back. People applauded. Relief filled the streets. But one thing was clear:
Radio remains one of the most reliable ways to stay informed — even when everything else stops.
Sometimes, the simplest signal makes the biggest difference.