Let’s be honest – Wales knows a thing or two about wet weather. Storms roll in all year round, one drizzly day after another.
And with so many of us working from home, a reliable internet connection needs to be more dependable than the forecast.
So when your Netflix buffers or your Teams call freezes mid-sentence, it’s fair to ask: can weather affect internet speed?
The short answer is yes – absolutely.
Bad weather can slow your internet down in a few different ways. Rain, flooding, heat and even humidity can all interfere with your connection – especially if you’re relying on an older network.
Things like, water getting into cables or electrical connections, physical damage to old infrastructure and even interference with wireless signals can all play a part in those frustrating moments.
And some types of broadband are simply more vulnerable to the elements than others.
Much of Wales is still powered by an ageing copper network. These cables were originally designed for phone calls, not streaming, video meetings and smart homes -and many are over 30 years old.
Copper cables carry electrical signals, and when heavy rain or flooding hits, moisture can seep into the cables or connectors. The result? Slower speeds, reduced bandwidth, crackly calls – or no connection at all.
Even services sold as “superfast broadband” often rely on copper for the final stretch into your home, which means the weakest link is still exposed to the weather.
Wireless signals outside your home can also be affected. Rain droplets can partially absorb signals, reducing coverage and speed. And even after the rain stops, high humidity can keep things sluggish.
Heat can cause problems too (on the rare sunny day). Networking equipment and power supplies don’t love extremes, and overheating can lead to slowdowns or failures.
Satellite broadband can be affected as well, particularly in rural areas, where heavy rain, wind or movement of dishes can disrupt the signal.
For most people, the impact is small – unless there’s a bigger issue like damaged or submerged cables. But if your Zoom keeps crashing, it’s hard to stay patient waiting for the storm to pass.
If you’re using full fibre broadband (also known as FTTP – Fibre to the Premises), you’re already in a much stronger position.
According to Ofcom, around 78% of homes in Wales now have access to fibre optic broadband – and it’s far more resilient in bad weather.
That’s because fibre cables use light, not electricity. No electrical signals means, no short circuits, no interference from moisture and greater reliability in general.
Fibre isn’t completely immune – the network still needs maintaining – but it’s more future-proof, more reliable and more resilient than copper.
So next time your boxset won’t load or your call keeps freezing, take a look outside.
If you’re still on an old copper-based connection (yes, even a “superfast” one), there’s a good chance the weather is playing a part. You can ride out the storm –
or you can upgrade to full fibre.
At Ogi, we don’t patch up old networks. We give you a dedicated fibre line straight to your door, built for modern life and whatever the Welsh weather throws at it.
Want broadband that just works? Pop over and check your postcode – we’ll see if we can get you connected.
