Weather Disasters Wreak Havoc on Telecom Networks, Calls for Resilience Measures
Addressing Mobile Communication and Internet Security amid Climate Catastrophes: Unveiling Significant Gaps, a Major Predicament
Troubles for telecommunications providers are uncommon, but when calamities like Cyclone Chido strike, the chaos is immense. On December 14, 2024, Cyclone Chido ravaged Mayotte, decimating a considerable portion of the networks. As recalled by Christian Gacon, director of Orange France's high-speed fixed networks, who participated in the crisis management efforts, "There wasn't much left." Only three mobile phone antennas out of 55 were functioning. Pylons were toppled, and antennas were torn away by the wind. The same held true for the fixed internet network, with most of its supporting poles and cables being felled. "Just 3% to 4% of customers still had a phone," the manager added.
Before Chido, other weather catastrophes have left telecom providers reeling. For instance, Storm Alex's onslaught on the Alpes-Maritimes in October 2020, and the battering of the western France regions by storms Ciara and Domingos in November 2023, have all caused severe damage.
While the Swiss village of Blatten faced annihilation on Wednesday, May 28, due to a glacier's spectacular collapse, and Météo-France forecasts a "hotter than normal" summer - prone to fires and intense storms -, the operators' ability to rebuild and safeguard their networks is paramount. Especially since the integration of telecoms in managing climate disasters is fraught with deficits. As a result, the government included a measure ensuring the "resilience" of these infrastructures in the event of an "extreme climate event" in its third plan for adapting to climate change, unveiled in March.
Bracing for the Climate Storm
Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and heatwaves, can considerably disrupt telecommunications networks. This is due to:- Infrastructure Damage: Physical damage to cell towers, fiber optic cables, and other infrastructure can trigger network outages.- Power Outages: Disruptions to power supply can affect network operations, especially if backup systems fail.- Increased Demand: During emergencies, there is usually a surge in communication, which can overload networks.
Response Strategies in France
To strengthen resilience in France, several strategies are considered or already implemented:
- Innovative Technology:
- Companies like Greenerwave are pioneering energy-efficient technologies, such as reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), which can improve the resilience of satellite communications and other sectors by reducing energy consumption and reliance on semiconductors.
- Diverse Networks:
- Diversifying network infrastructure, including the use of satellite communications, can help maintain connectivity during outages.
- Climate-Proof Infrastructure:
- Developing infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions can lessen the risk of damage and downtime.
- Partnership and Planning:
- Collaboration between telecommunications companies, governments, and various stakeholders is crucial for creating strategies that minimize the impacts of climate events. This encompasses emergency response planning and implementing backup systems.
- International Cooperation:
- France can profit from international initiatives focusing on climate resilience, such as the efforts by the Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN) to support technology deployment and capacity building for climate change adaptation.
Although specific measures for France aren't detailed in the current details, these strategies can help ensure the resilience of telecommunications networks in the face of extreme climate events.
- The integration of innovative technologies, such as reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), into telecom networks can bolster their resilience, particularly by minimizing energy consumption and semiconductor dependence.
- Strengthening the resilience of environmental-science research, especially in the context of climate-change mitigation, could benefit from the extensive use of technology and satellite communications, serving as a key element in sustainable networks and disaster response strategies.
