It's really interesting to me that the BBC romanticizes the actions of a state known for using utilities and communication as a means of controlling it's citizens.

Which state is not doing it?

At least in the US we don't generally turn off communications infrastructure just as a response to criticism or political unrest. Or if it does happen, the government is exceptionally good at preventing that fact from surfacing.

Nah US is too advanced for that, they would rather intercept those communications and send UAV/SWAT teams to directly handle them with accuracy.

Most recent protests in the US, until 2020, have been fairly soft and lacking the vigor behind movements like the Arab Spring.

If we the people become enough of a threat, you can bet there are strategies in place to disrupt our communication infrastructure.

What authoritarian ? The article states that the village council installed a siren which goes off at 7 P.M. everyday and they urged people to switch off their devices. Nobody is being forced to do anything here. There is a difference between urging one to do something and coercing.