Extreme weather events have been wreaking havoc on broadband infrastructure, disrupting connectivity and slowing recovery efforts. Hurricane Milton led to significant outages across Florida with more than 1.27 million cable and wireline subscribers losing service. In North Carolina, residents faced the severe impacts of Hurricane Helene, while destructive wildfires in California, Texas, and Oklahoma have further exposed the vulnerabilities of our digital networks.

Whether facing hurricanes, severe flooding, fire, wind, or ice storms, ISPs must plan for resilience and swift restoration. From strategic material selection to ensuring reliable supply chains, preparation is key. Here’s how:

Planning & Design: Build for Resilience

Material Matters

In calm weather conditions, most broadband materials perform well at best, adequately at worst. However, when the temperature drops, ice can form and wind speeds accelerate, so material integrity becomes a critical factor. Choosing high-quality materials — especially those manufactured with plastics — can mean the difference between a network that withstands the elements and one that fails under pressure.

• Heat Sensitivity: When exposed to high temperatures, some plastics experience molecular breakdown, becoming brittle over time—similar to what happens when low-quality plastics are repeatedly placed in the dishwasher. 
• Cold Fragility: Low-durability plastics also become brittle in cold temperatures, making them prone to cracking and failure.
• End-to-End Material Selection: From cable ties to closures, every component in a network must be chosen with durability in mind.

At the Panduit Jack E. Caveney Innovation Center, we have 40 years of data and research driving reliability of our systems against Chicago’s extreme climate. This, combined with dedicated labs to simulate accelerated aging and other extreme environments, ensures our outdoor network products are built to last.

Recovery: Restore Connectivity Quickly

Look for Supply Chain Reliability

When a storm hits, ISPs need more than just a large stockpile of materials—they need a dependable supply chain that can respond in real time. Ordering bulk shipments months in advance may work for planned projects, but when disaster strikes, the ability to quickly procure additional necessary materials is critical.

• On-Demand Availability: During an emergency, waiting for a month to receive a bulk shipment does little good. Providers need supply chain partners who can deliver materials exactly when and where they are needed.
• Partnering for Success: Because you’ll need rapid delivery of materials during a crisis, look for companies like Panduit which prioritize a world-class supply chain, and manufacture their products and maintain global warehouses in strategic locations in the South and Midwest.

Trust Your Deployment Partners

A broadband network designed to withstand extreme conditions should come with the confidence that, if failure occurs, outside support will be immediate and effective. Providers must ensure they work with trusted partners who stand behind their products and services.

• Reliable Vendors & Contractors: When network failures occur due to product or workmanship issues, vendors and contractors should be aligned in their commitment to recovery efforts.
• Coordinated Execution: Teams must work together from material selection through deployment validation, ensuring the network is resilient from day one.

The Panduit ONE Partner Program network of certified installers works closely with broadband providers, ensuring that every deployment is executed with precision. This collaboration means that when things go right, providers understand why—and when things go wrong, they know who to call.

Final Thoughts

As broadband infrastructure is the backbone of connectivity, extreme weather should not be a reason for prolonged outages. Through meticulous planning, careful material selection, and strong supplier and deployment partnerships, ISPs can mitigate risk and expedite recovery. When disaster strikes, you’ll have the confidence that your network will stand strong, and your customers will stay connected.

We’ve just expanded our selection of fiber-to-the-home solutions. Check out our portfolio of products that are engineered for performance in harsh conditions at www.panduit.com/ftth.