If you have lived in Texas for any length of time, you have probably experienced multiple hurricanes. On average, three hurricanes or tropical storms will impact Texans within a four-year period. Winds can reach speeds up to 190 mph (Hurricane Allen), drop up to 60 inches of rain (Hurricane Harvey), and create 15-foot storm surges (Galveston Hurricane).
Texas businesses need to be prepared before hurricane season to keep operating in case of storms. Hurricane season in the Gulf runs from June through November, peaking in September each year. Before hurricane season hits in full force this year, here are some key questions you should ask your business internet provider or business phone service provider in Texas.
Is Your Network on Fiber?
Fiber is the most reliable and resilient connectivity you can have.
While business internet providers in Texas try to safeguard copper and coaxial lines, water getting into the lines can disrupt operations. Corrosion from the water can also cause long-term problems that require digging up the cables and replacing them.
Fiber uses light waves to transmit data, rather than electrical current. Rain, water and storms can interfere with the electricity running through copper and coaxial lines.
LOGIX Fiber Networks is built for business, with a state-of-the-art core backbone and resilient fiber network to keep your business running even during a storm.
Will My Internet and Phone Service Still Work During a Power Outage?
The best business internet and fiber phone service providers have redundant power sources and backup generators to keep running if their physical locations suffer power outages from storms. Unlike copper connections, fiber does not rely on electricity, so power outages have little impact.
If you are relying on wireless service, business phone service providers in Texas have to maintain power to individual cell sites to maintain service. Hurricane-force winds often take out cell towers, causing widespread outages.
What Redundancies Do You Have in Place?
Even the best systems can fail if you do not have redundant systems and contingencies in place. A legitimate business internet and phone service provider should have multiple redundancy levels.
For example, LOGIX Fiber Networks has multiple fiber rings in its Texas markets, which helps manage traffic in case of an outage or bottleneck. Advanced technology enables devices to communicate with each other, determine the best path for traffic flow on the network, and quickly detect and reroute traffic in case of failures.
LOGIX also operates a state-of-the-art fiber network and Tier-1 internet peering points. These Tier-1 internet connections allow for direct access to the internet rather than routing through intermediate providers. Not only does this provide faster and more efficient traffic routing, but it also provides multiple options for direct connections, even during power outages or other disruptions.
Do You Own or Lease Your Lines?
Many companies use a combination of business internet providers in Texas to provide connectivity. When companies lease lines, it can be more challenging to diagnose where problems occur and who is responsible for resolving issues.
Ideally, you want to work with a business internet provider in Texas like LOGIX Fiber Networks, which owns its fiber. LOGIX has more than 300,000 miles of fiber internet and is the largest independent fiber provider in the state.
How Do You Monitor and Manage Your Network?
You should always work with business internet and phone providers that offer 24/7 year-round monitoring of your network. LOGIX has a Texas-based network operations center that provides round-the-clock monitoring of your service for performance and security to provide optimal uptime.
Where Are Your Customer Support and Technicians Located?
Not all business internet or business phone service providers in Texas are local. Many have their customer support teams out of state and have to contract with local technicians when service is needed.
LOGIX Fiber Networks has a Texas-based friendly customer support team, with local technicians nearby to handle any problems.
What Has Happened to Your Network in the Past?
You should also ask what happened to the provider’s business internet and phone service during recent storms. When hurricanes hit Houston and tornadoes hit Dallas, many internet service providers and telecoms went down. LOGIX customers remained online.
Choose LOGIX Fiber Networks
LOGIX Fiber Networks has built its operations for optimal redundancy and uptime, despite hurricanes and other natural disasters.
You can depend on LOGIX to keep your business running even when other providers go down.
Contact LOGIX today at 281-688-6283 or request a quote before hurricane season hits.