Internet preparedness after disasters

Understanding how internet, power and phone companies restore communications in the aftermath of a natural disaster helps you know what to expect and how to stay safe.   From storms to wildfires to earthquakes, the recovery phase is an uncertain time for affected communities, often compounded by a lack of communication systems that are critical to aid and recovery efforts.  Using insights from a new report by The Internet & Television Association (NCTA), our broadband experts unpack what you need to know about how the internet and power industries work together to get you reconnected as fast as possible.Read on to learn what you need to know about the life-saving measures activated during some of the most challenging and vulnerable times in people’s lives.  On this page: The steps broadband and power utilities take to keep you connected How internet, power and phone depend on each other What happens after a crisis What this means for you Final thoughts on broadband and utility disaster response The steps broadband and power utilities take to keep you connected After the Storm, a short video released alongside the NCTA report, explores how the broadband and power industries join forces to benefit the health and safety of everyone impacted by natural disasters.Watch the eight-minute docufilm to learn more about the behind-the-scenes rapid response cable and utility teams.  These numbers from the NCTA report provide a snapshot of the current state of preparedness:  1.3 million workers are collectively employed by the U.S.

cable companies to keep businesses and homes connected to the internet  $25.1 billion was the total 2024 cable industry investment in the country’s fiber-optic infrastructure 24/7 monitoring at operations centers observes and assesses conditions to anticipate outages Watch the full eight-minute docufilm to learn more about the behind-the-scenes rapid response cable and utility teams.  How internet, power and phone depend on each other Seamless coordination between multiple internet service providers (ISPs) and utility companies is key to getting communities’ electricity and Wi-Fi back online.  According to the NCTA report and film, here are a few ways power and broadband are critical after a disaster:  Real-time updates and support: Staying online after a power outage provides a lifeline to critical resources and breaking news after a disaster.But the internet’s reliance on power can leave people without electricity isolated Home phone: Many home phone systems now operate on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) instead of copper landlines that maintain service during power outages Cell phones: A mobile phone is only helpful as long as it has a battery.With cellular networks often overcrowded in the aftermath of a disaster, electricity (or a backup energy source like a generator) is vital to cell phone longevity  What happens after a crisis Even before a disaster, monitoring centers like the Spectrum Regional Operations Centers (ROC) and the Comcast Xfinity AI-powered monitoring network are working to prepare emergency response teams.  Due to this preparation, the following essential protocols are activated immediately after a storm, flood or other natural disaster.

Emergency Wi-Fi access points are activated.These offer a temporary Wi-Fi access via hotspots or satellite internet Command centers are hubs for cross-functional teams.Utilities, telecom providers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) work together to get power connected and Wi-Fi restored to aid in communication for local health, fire and other first responders  Shared communication is active between all sectors.

The various teams are in near-constant contact with the response centers to provide on-the-ground status updates to keep teams safe and prevent response overlap  What this means for you As disaster frequency increases, the round-the-clock monitoring, ongoing network investments and standby response teams are more critical than ever to protect lives and property after a crisis.  But broadband and utilities’ united efforts also have benefits for day-to-day operations, such as:  Faster, more reliable internet: Get faster speeds and higher-quality streaming, gaming and remote work connections during everyday use or times of emergency Fewer and shorter power and internet outages: Keeping communities connected with telehealth, shopping, work or school without pause Less interruption in e-commerce/online shopping: Economic growth (particularly for small businesses) is positively impacted by more uptime and fewer supply chain interruptions  Improved equity across communities: The fiber infrastructure investments work to create better inclusion of previously marginalized or underserved communities  Rural assistance and support: Rural areas have historically had fewer high-speed internet options, which can be detrimental in accessing EMS or other resources before, during or after a disaster  Final thoughts on broadband and utility disaster response While the NCTA report and After the Storm highlight the speedy, yet logistically-intricate, coordinated response among utilities, there are still many tribal and rural communities that lack access to reliable and affordable broadband.These digital accessibility gaps lead to limited access to health services, job opportunities and essential information, which is why continued investment in people training and infrastructure growth, backed by government grants and the for-profit sector, is essential for the U.S.  What to read next Read more Featured A guide to internet resources for Native Americans Camryn Smith — 4 min read Featured How to find Wi-Fi hotspots Robin Layton — 3 min read Featured Internet costs about $76 per month Camryn Smith — 10 min read Latest Wednesday, November 26, 2025 How broadband providers reconnect communities after disasters Lisa Iscrupe — 4 min read Wednesday, November 26, 2025 Best Black Friday tech and provider deals 2025 Camryn Smith — 4 min read Tuesday, November 25, 2025 How ISPs track your personal data Lisa Iscrupe — 3 min read