HoloNet / Legends The HoloNet , also spelled Holonet , was a galactic communications grid that was developed , used and maintained by the Galactic Republic and later by the Galactic Empire . The HoloNet was a near - instantaneous communications network commissioned by the Galactic Senate to provide a free flow of hologram communication and information exchange among member worlds . It vastly sped up galactic communications , which had previously depended on more circuitous subspace transmissions or relays . System . A message was first broadcast from a planet , a vessel in hyperspace , or from another point of origin ; from there , it was then routed from the point of origin ' s transmitter through potentially millions of hyperwave transceivers suspended in hyperspace to a HoloNet relay , where it was sorted , identified and logged by the relay ' s computer , and then routed further via appropriate transceivers to its destination . The transceivers themselves transferred information across the galaxy through s - thread s . This enabled data to be sent and received at faster - than - light speeds , ensuring near - instantaneous communication from one end of the galaxy to the other , by routing information from origin , to transceiver , to HoloNet relay , to transceiver network yet again , and finally to its destination . It should also be noted that information transmitted via the HoloNet was nearly impossible to infiltrate or corrupt , thanks to the s - thread ' s incredibly narrow hyperspace dimensions . The only way to do so was to attach a listening device to the sender ' s equipment , the relay station , or at the destination itself . The HoloNet system was an extremely costly expenditure , both for transceiver placement / maintenance ( funded by the government ) and for consumer HoloNet equipment . However , it was one of the major methods of communication in the galaxy . One of HoloNet ' s services was the " Imperial . emp " , a service that even Darth Vader used . HoloNet was also known for containing numerous forums , including one called the Naboo message exchange . History . Created thanks to the Galactic Senate ' s efforts several thousand years BBY , the HoloNet quickly expanded throughout the galaxy , ending up with at least one emitter / receiver device located on virtually every planet of the Galactic Republic . The Holonet was operational by at least 3954 BBY . In 22 BBY , plans to expand the HoloNet to the Outer Rim Territories were delayed due to budgetary restructuring according to the General Ministry Communications Agency . 250 , 000 worlds in several sectors , including Portmoak , Arkanis , Parmic , Quence , and Kathol , were not to see access for one fiscal year . Where they lacked in primary HoloNet conduits , they made up for with a network of Subspace relay station s for intersector communications , resulting in delayed galactic news reaching those sectors within days or weeks . During the Clone Wars , the Confederacy created the CIS Shadowfeed , a network of hyperwave transceivers similar to the Republic ' s HoloNet News channel . During this time , both sides used the HoloNet to broadcast propaganda . When Emperor Palpatine assumed power , large portions of the HoloNet were shut down to prevent news of the Empire ' s atrocities from spreading quickly . During the time of the Empire , the HoloNet was strictly controlled , used mostly for Imperial Military communications . This greatly inhibited the ability of groups like the Alliance to Restore the Republic to communicate , and arguably also had an isolating effect on the many planets over which the Empire held power . During this period , Ebenn Q3 Baobab created an alternative HoloNet since the official HoloNet disseminated only Imperial propaganda without the " complication " of unapproved free speech . After the Empire fell , HoloNet channels were reopened and security was lifted , restoring free speech . Near the end of the Yuuzhan Vong War , the Yuuzhan Vong succeeded in disabling the entire network . It resumed functioning shortly after the invasion had been thwarted . After the Yuuzhan Vong War , many smaller vessels , such as shuttles , were equipped with HoloNet receivers and transmitters , including Jacen Solo ' s own modified " Lambda " - class shuttle . Behind the scenes . In the non - canon mobile game " " , the HoloNet feed was portrayed similar to a real - world social media platform such as or , where NPCs known as bitizen s could post statuses and other bitizens could " like " them .