Telecommunications

Severe weather is no longer an occasional disruption for telecom providers—it’s becoming part of the operating environment. During Hurricane Ida in 2021, the Federal Communications Commission reported that nearly 1,000 cell sites across Louisiana and Mississippi went offline. In 2024, Hurricane Milton left more than 12% of cell sites in impacted areas of Florida…

Telecom networks are no longer planned or evaluated in isolation. As 5G, private LTE, fixed wireless, and mission-critical communications expand, operators are expected to deliver stronger coverage, higher reliability, and demonstrable performance—often while managing complex technologies and constrained resources. Regulators, customers, and public agencies are increasingly focused on outcomes that can be measured and…

When something goes wrong in a community—a major storm, a large-scale accident, a violent incident—there’s often a narrow window where clarity matters most. Leaders must make fast decisions, responders need to trust the information in front of them, and the systems supporting those choices have to work as intended. Public safety agencies now rely…

For many organizations today, the weather has shifted from an occasional disruption to a constant planning factor. Scientific assessments show that extreme weather events—including heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and wildfires—are occurring more frequently and with greater intensity, placing growing strain on infrastructure, utilities, and public services. As weather-related disruptions become more costly and harder to manage,…

In the latest episode of Icom’s “Fact or Fiction with Captain Kelly,” a pressing question is addressed that tangles with both maritime communication norms and legal nuances. For a brief explanation what’s true and what’s false into the often misunderstood regulations surrounding the use of handheld VHF radios on land is explored. Featuring Captain…

How does the line-of-sight limitation of VHF radio impact communication in remote or obstructed areas? Award-winning motor yacht captain and social media influencer, Captain Kelly Gordon, delved into the importance of understanding VHF radio’s line-of-sight constraints for effective communication, especially in areas without cell coverage. “If they’re on the other side of the hill,…