Radio interference

Radio Interference is a phenomenon in Final Fantasy VIII that has made using radio waves nearly obsolete by the time of the game's start.

The reason for the interference is in fact Sorceress Adel's Tomb, which, orbiting the planet, interferes with the radio waves and fills all frequencies with noise. Because of the bothersome noise, most wireless technology was abandoned, and facilities, such as Communications Tower in Dollet and the TV Station in Timber, fell to disuse. An outdoor TV display in Timber displays the interference, and one can decipher a message from Adel among the noise.

Because radio technology was largely abandoned by the time of the game, making live broadcasts has been significantly more difficult. When Galbadian president Vinzer Deling wants to broadcast Sorceress Edea's ascension as the nation's new ambassador, he is forced to invade the Communications Tower in Dollet in order to make the broadcast, which gets the game's story going. While grainy, the broadcast is a success, until having been interrupted by Seifer Almasy.

Later in the game, Adel's Tomb falls, marking the end of the radio interference, shown immediately after, as Esthar air station contacts Ragnarok via radio waves.