SuffolkOnline.net

We have had a number of customers recently who have suffered failures of their internet connection following recent thunderstorms. Some of these have resulted in the equipment at your local telephone exchange being damaged, which clearly nobody can do anything about, but also individuals own broadband equipment have been struck.

This has resulted in the users, having to purchase replacement equipment.

Suffolk Online's simple advice when storms are coming is to unplug your broadband equipment or any equipment that goes from your computer to the phone line. Firstly, if you are on broadband, take the power out of your router or modem so it is not physically on and also unplug any phone cable going from either your modem or router to your phone line.

If you are on dialup then we suggest unplugging the phone cable that goes from your computer to your phone line. This should prevent any surges which could then cause terminal blow-outs.

An alternative to these suggestions is to buy a surge protected power socket which your router could plug into. We have found these reduces the risk of being affected by storms but it cannot remove the risk entirely.

We hope this helps.