When extreme weather knocks out power and communications, coordination is everything.
At last month’s SCTE TechExpo25, NCTA convened a panel of industry and public-sector leaders to discuss how coordination, preparation, and communication bring communities back online. The conversation followed the premiere of NCTA’s new docufilm, “After the Storm,” which captures those efforts on the ground.
Coordination before the crisis
Panelists agreed that successful recovery begins long before a hurricane makes landfall or a wildfire sparks. Continuous drills, clear communication, and long-standing relationships across sectors make quick action possible.
“We don’t wait for a storm to drill—everybody knows their role and responsibility when it’s go-time,” said Mike Matson, Senior Vice President of Field Operations for Spectrum.
That preparation—whether through broadband providers’ 24/7 monitoring centers or utilities’ emergency planning—sets the foundation for the teamwork seen throughout “After the Storm.”
Working side by side
Once disaster strikes, coordination across power, broadband, and emergency management is what brings communities back online.
“Having a seat at the table where those public-sector decisions are made is vital so companies can follow us to make those restorations,” said Wally Mealiea of Edison Electric Institute.
Both the film and the panel showed how command centers and on-the-ground collaboration prevent overlap, reduce risk, and help communities rebound sooner.
Lessons from the field
Every event provides new lessons. Panelists shared how they review each response to strengthen future playbooks and improve communication with local partners.
“There’s always more work than people, but we get better every time,” said Mealiea. “Our companies pride themselves on being continuous-learning organizations—expectations grow, so we have to improve with every storm.”
That cycle of preparation, response, and improvement is echoed in “After the Storm,” where broadband and utility crews adapt to shifting conditions, use mobile Wi-Fi trailers to connect first responders, and rebuild the lifelines that power communities.
Watch the full SCTE panel discussion below and stream “After the Storm” to see how broadband and utility crews are building a stronger, more resilient network for the future.
