Best Internet Service

How to Stay Connected During Hurricanes

Warmer temps and midday storms mean one thing: hurricane season is upon us. Tropical meteorology experts are forecasting 17 storms, and at least nine storms will develop into full-blown hurricanes. Reliable and always-on connectivity is crucial all year round, particularly for the IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, hospitality, and entertainment industries. In these sectors, connectivity supports everything from guest services to emergency communications.

At the same time, many consumers have created smart homes equipped with locks, security systems, cameras, and thermostats that require internet and Wi-Fi. Whether you run a business, work from home, or simply need to power up your gadgets, a strong internet connection is essential. However, internet infrastructure is not created equal. Consumers should be wary of special pricing or bait-and-switch promotions because no amount of savings can mitigate recurring outages that are common with outdated traditional broadband technology. A fiber-optic network stands out as the most resilient choice for a number of reasons and consumers have taken notice. According to a recent study, “65% of all internet users now believe that fiber is the best internet connectivity technology.”  Not convinced? Here are five ways fiber internet outperforms during bad weather conditions, including hurricane season.

Superior Weather Resistance

Legacy national providers struggle to deliver reliable connections during peak periods and suffer during inclement weather because of technology. Unlike traditional copper lines or coaxial cables, fiber-optic cables are made from glass. What does this mean? Fiber is immune to electrical interference from lightning or downed power lines—a common hazard during hurricanes. Wind and lightening can adversely impact home internet services that rely on satellite and cell towers as well. Even when wind and rain are intense, fiber cables are far less likely to be damaged or experience signal degradation.

The Underground

Fiber infrastructure is installed underground, especially in modern new single-family community developments and commercial zones. This gives it a critical edge over above-ground cable, satellite, cell towers, and DSL lines, which are vulnerable to falling trees and flying debris. Underground fiber remains protected and operational, even when storms batter the Sunshine State.

Consistent Speeds and Low Latency

During a storm, traffic on legacy networks often slows dramatically due to congestion or damaged nodes. Fiber-optic networks maintain consistent high-speed performance and low latency because they have far greater bandwidth capacity and less signal loss over long distances. For IT teams managing live streaming, POS systems, or cloud-based guest apps, this reliability lets them support their customers.

Faster Recovery Times

No technology is perfect, so if fiber infrastructure is damaged, it gets priority repair due to its critical role in supporting municipal, business, and emergency services. Also, fiber providers tend to have dedicated response teams and advanced diagnostic tools that speed up fault identification and resolution, reducing downtime compared to legacy systems. Did you know that Smart City has a formal Severe Storm Support Plan?

Supports Resilient Network Architectures

Fiber enables robust failover and redundancy strategies. For example, businesses can implement multi-gigabit backup connections, host applications in geographically distributed data centers, or create direct private links to cloud providers. These capabilities become vital when a hurricane disrupts regional networks or local facilities.

In closing, hurricane season is a test of every system’s durability, and internet connectivity is no different. For companies like Walt Disney Company, resorts and retail stores, Jacksonville Housing Authority, City of Maitland, Central Florida YMCA’s, and Osceola Library System that depend on uptime to serve customers, fiber-optic internet offers a clear advantage. Smart City’s fiber network, regional footprint, physical resilience, speed, and stability make it the smart choice for businesses and homes in storm-prone cities across Central Florida and beyond.

Contact Smart City to discuss!