How do telecom companies keep communities connected and support recovery efforts after storms like Harvey and Irma?
Our reading list this month is full of pieces that ask this question. Our picks cover the use of drones to determine routes for bringing equipment to storm-affected areas. There's also an article about contingency plans for a major data center in Irma's path.
We're also sharing a great read about rural America's access to broadband internet. You can find all of these September selections below.
Telecom Companies Turn To Drones For Help After Hurricanes
Why it’s worth your time: As this NPR piece highlights, Hurricane Harvey disrupted "at least 17 emergency call centers and 320 cellular sites, and it caused outages for more than 148,000 internet, TV, and phone customers."
To get everyone back online, companies have started using drones to survey damage and determine the best routes for bringing in backup equipment.
As Irma Heads for Florida, One Miami Data Center is Especially Critical
Why it’s worth your time: Florida is a strategically important location to network connectivity. As Irma inched closer to making landfall last week, many had their eyes on the Miami data center and carrier hub that doubles as the biggest network gateway between the the U.S. and Latin America. What would happen if it went offline? This piece explores.
Storm Warning: Preparing Communications Systems for a Hurricane
Why it’s worth your time: The recent hurricanes that have devastated parts of the U.S. and Caribbean have shown what powerful storms can do to communications systems. But they’ve also highlighted the major role those same systems can play in helping rescue and recovery efforts.
Pete Bell uncovers how government agencies, first responders, and utility companies are ensuring that they’re better prepared than ever.
Rural America Is Building Its Own Internet Because No One Else Will
Why it’s worth your time: About 19 million Americans still don't have access to broadband internet. But it's not always financially viable for big ISPs to expand into these communities. So. What happens next? This article explores.
California, Chicago are top gigabit-connected areas, says Viavi study
Why it’s worth your time: A recent study—"State of U.S. Gigabit Deployments"— tracked the regional and metropolitan breakdown of gigabit internet availability in the U.S. The winners? California and Chicago. Peruse other findings from the report in the Fierce Telecom article above.