By Ernie Hoffmann, COO, Summit Broadband
In today’s world, we no longer debate whether electricity or water is essential to our communities. We protect them, regulate them, and demand accountability when they are disrupted.
It’s time we apply that same standard to fiber broadband.
As we enter another hurricane season, this reality becomes especially clear. Across the communities we serve, we prepare for wind and water—but we must also prioritize the networks that keep residents informed, businesses operating, and emergency services connected. We harden our power grids, reinforce our water systems, and activate emergency plans. Yet the digital infrastructure that keeps our communities connected during and after a storm often doesn’t receive the same level of protection.
That must change.
Connectivity is no longer a luxury—it is the foundation of how our communities function. From 911 communications and healthcare access to remote work, education, and small business operations, fiber networks power nearly every aspect of modern life. In many ways, they are just as critical as the utilities we’ve long recognized as essential.
Yet there remains a gap between how vital fiber is and how it is treated on the ground.
Construction activity remains one of the leading causes of fiber damage, frequently resulting in outages across neighborhoods, communities, and business corridors. In some cases, these disruptions have even affected emergency communication systems, underscoring the very real public safety risks posed by preventable infrastructure damage.
The frustrating reality is that most of these incidents are entirely avoidable.
The leading cause of damage to underground utilities is the failure to follow basic safe digging practices. There is already a simple, free, and highly effective solution: calling 811 before digging.
And yet, avoidable fiber cuts continue to occur at an unacceptable rate. In fact, across our footprint, our team recorded more than 50 fiber cuts in the first quarter alone—a clear signal that this is not an isolated issue, but a systemic one.
Every time a line is severed, the consequences are immediate. Residents lose connectivity. Businesses lose productivity. Critical services are put at risk. What was once a temporary inconvenience now has the potential to disrupt emergency coordination and slow recovery—especially during storm season when connectivity is most critical.
The issue is not capability—it’s accountability.
If fiber is essential—and it is—then our approach to protecting it must evolve:
- Fiber infrastructure must be safeguarded as diligently as gas and electric lines.
- Safe digging protocols must be followed consistently, not selectively.
- Enforcement and education must be strengthened across contractors, developers, and municipalities.
Other utilities operate under clear expectations and meaningful consequences when damage occurs. Fiber should be no different.
As our communities continue to grow—with new developments, road expansions, and infrastructure projects—we must ensure that progress doesn’t come at the expense of reliability.
Because at the end of the day, fiber is more than technology.
It is how our communities stay connected and operational—especially when it matters most.
Now is the time to act. Municipalities, regulators, and industry partners must strictly enforce 811 compliance, invest in education, and give fiber the protection it deserves—on par with other essential infrastructure. Our communities depend on it, especially during hurricane season and times of rapid growth. Take action now to safeguard our connectivity and resilience.
