Despite all the advances and optimizations available, many companies experience first hand the technical difficulties in their internet connection associated with weather events such as rains and storms. The exact reasons depend on the type of service, but basically they are reduced to the action of one of the most brutal enemies that electronics, and technology in general, must face: humidity.

Imagine a heavy rain. The water seems like a curtain, visibility is dramatically reduced, and the wind gives it even more strength. If you take out your cell phone and try to make a call at that time, there is a possibility that the service has magically disappeared. Other people suffer something similar with the electrical supply, the satellite television and the Internet connection. Every time as users and consumers we develop a certain idea of ​​”stability” in our services, the climate laughs out loud and throws all its hostility. However, sometimes a simple drizzle is enough to head off our web access, which for a modern company has a very significant impact.

Who is guilty?

The short version tells us that it is humidity. The long version requires separating connectivity problems according to the type of service. If our Internet connection is wireless, the propagation of radio waves is affected by the moisture content in the air, which increases attenuation, reduces the range and available bandwidth. The higher the frequency, the greater the effects. Of course, engineers have designed antennas and transmission systems with these details in mind, but they can do little of their powers of anticipation when rain is a true waterfall. If we add to this the wind, the false contacts in the wiring due to movement, and the possibility that the antennas lose their correct alignment, all we have left is to recognize that the Internet is going to be cut.

Moisture also has the ability to put pressure on certain weak links in traditional infrastructure. First of all, humidity equals corrosion, and if termination boxes or cables (even those in our home!) Are in poor condition, even a downpour can cause flashing. Then there are interruptions in the power supply.

The last factor that I am going to name is none other than the change in the behavior of the users. The rain makes us stay home, go to Netflix or YouTube, download an online game, and so on. If the number of users increases when the overall condition of the connection is weak, the result is a reduction in speed, or a complete outage.        

Surely you have ever related the slow Internet connection to adverse weather conditions.

This may interest you

First of all we must know that electromagnetic radiation, specifically radio waves, is responsible for connecting us to the Internet without cables. However, they are not of the same wavelength, so they may experience interference differently.

When some elements similar in size to their wavelength interact electromagnetically with the signal, distortions and weakening can occur.

If we take into account that mobiles use a wavelength of tens of centimeters, and those of Wi-Fi somewhat shorter, we can reach the following conclusions depending on the weather conditions.

Rain or thunderstorms can influence our Internet connection

Storms

Lightning emits waves that can disrupt the signal and cause interference in a phone call. For its part, our home wifi could suffer some slowdown when lightning strikes close to the ground.

Wind

Despite the wind speed, it does not have enough charge to generate magnetic fields, so it will not affect mobile coverage or Wi-Fi as long as you do not throw an antenna, something unlikely to be prepared for this type of phenomenon.

Rain

Water is a strongly polar molecule, and depending on the intensity it can affect communications, both in coverage and in the Wi-Fi network.

Although all this will depend on many circumstances, it is important that we can consider new technologies such as fiber optics, in it we will find an obvious solution to any of these climatic circumstances, much more considerable in a country like ours.

Itellum offers you the best advice so that your company is always connected.