Ofcom's advice, recreated · checked 24 October 2026 Six things to remember when a storm hits Keeping connected during SEVERE Emergency services are still contactable when 'Emergency calls only' or 'SOS only' shows Try SMS if calls are not connecting Use Wi-Fi calling and internet-based messaging services Wait 20 seconds between each call attempt Conserve your mobile device's battery Turn the screen brightness down and switch on battery saver. Broadband down after a storm? First make sure everyone is safe and the power is back. Then restart your fibre box by unplugging it at the box, not the wall, check your provider's service status page, and report the fault straight away: with providers in Ofcom's scheme, you get £10.34 a day once two full working days have passed, even if the weather caused it. Ofcom's new advice, published on 13 October 2026, also says to charge devices before a Met Office warning, keep important numbers on paper and, if your broadband often goes down, consider satellite internet as a backup. BeforeDuringAfterKey numbersCompensationBackup options This week's storms · Met Office Two named storms in three days Named Tuesday 20 October Storm Austen Named Thursday 22 October Storm Boelo Why it matters for your broadband: when the power goes off, your router, full fibre box and any digital landline go off with it, unless you have a battery back-up. Key facts, checked 24 October 2026 Who this is for: Anyone in the UK whose phone or broadband has been hit by Storm Austen, Storm Boelo or the next storm, and anyone who wants to be ready for it. If you look out for an older relative or neighbour, this is for you too. Ofcom has published new advice on how to prepare for storms, floods and extreme heat, what to do while they're happening, and what to do if you're left without service. It went live on 13 October 2026 and was updated on 22 October 2026. Ofcom's point is simple. Severe weather can damage the networks behind our phones and broadband and cause power cuts and outages, and it says the impact can depend on where you live, "with rural areas more likely to be affected". Providers are required to take steps so we can rely on them in bad weather, but as Ofcom puts it, their networks "could still be affected". On the same day, Ofcom set out its approach to network resilience for the industry, saying: "Today, we have published advice to help consumers prepare for severe weather and communications outages." It's been looking at this for a while. Ofcom's own research found that Storm Arwen in 2021 left over 74,000 customers without mains electricity for over 48 hours, and that "thousands of mobile cell sites were disrupted by the same power outages". In a June 2026 paper, it added that rural areas are "more susceptible to storms causing power outages or blowing over antennas", and that people there often rely on a single mast. The good news is that most of what helps costs nothing. We've set the advice out below as before, during and after the storm, and added what Ofcom's page doesn't cover in detail: how to get back online fast, the compensation you could be owed, and the numbers to keep. No, not without back-up power. Ofcom says your home broadband, including any digital landline, "will not work during a power cut" unless you have an additional power source. For most people, a charged mobile is the best fallback. When the power goes off What still works in a power cut, and what doesn't Broadband and digital landline Your full fibre box, router and digital landline all need mains power, unless you have a battery back-up. Wi-Fi calling It runs over your broadband, so it stops when your router does. Satellite broadband The dish and router need mains power. Starlink's Standard kit uses 75 to 100 W on average. Mobile phone Ofcom calls it "a practical alternative" for most people. In a long, widespread cut, masts can lose power too. 999 and 112 Free, with no credit needed, and it connects through another network if yours is down. Battery, wind-up or solar radio AM, FM or DAB radio keeps the weather warnings and local news coming. Digital landlines need mains electricity. If you depend on your landline because you don't have a working mobile or a reliable signal, your landline provider must offer you a free solution, such as a battery back-up unit. It has to last at least one hour, and Ofcom says some providers' back-ups last up to seven hours. Digital landlines · your right to a back-up A free battery back-up must last at least an hour Who gets one free? Anyone who depends on their landline because they don't have a working mobile or a reliable mobile signal. Everyone else can buy one from their provider or a shop. If you use a telecare alarm, tell your phone and broadband provider so you get the right support. And if you're older or have additional needs, let your provider know: Ofcom says providers that are aware of this "should provide extra support". Our guides to phones in a power cut after the switch-off and care alarms go into more detail. Charge everything before the Met Office warning starts, write your key numbers on paper, and make a plan with family and neighbours. These are the steps Ofcom recommends. Before the storm Nine things to do before the weather turns ✓Charge up early Charge phones and power banks before the Met Office warning starts, and top up any pay as you go credit. ✓Set up emergency contacts Add ICE contacts and turn on your phone's safety features: the Health app on iPhone, personal safety on Android. ✓Write numbers on paper Your broadband, mobile and utility numbers, kept somewhere safe and easy to remember. ✓Check your council Note its advice, and where libraries or community hubs can help with charging. ✓Make a plan Agree how you'll keep in touch, and check on older relatives if it's safe. ✓Get a radio A battery, wind-up or solar radio keeps the warnings coming. ✓Back up your broadband A battery back-up keeps broadband and a digital landline going in a power cut. ✓Tell your provider If you rely on your landline, use telecare or have additional needs. ✓Mix your networks Different mobile networks in one household, or an eSIM, give you more chance of a signal. Ofcom says that in an emergency, your neighbours "might be the best placed to help you", so it's worth talking to them before the weather turns. For the kit side, from battery back-ups to where to put your router, see our guide to preparing your home broadband for winter storms. Each UK government also has its own guide to getting ready for emergencies: UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland. Wait 20 seconds between attempts, try a text, and use Wi-Fi calling or a messaging app if your broadband still works. If your phone shows "SOS only" or "emergency calls only", you can still call 999 or 112 through another network. During the storm Calls not connecting? Try these, in this order Wait 20 seconds Lots of attempts in a short time add pressure to a busy network, so leave 20 seconds between calls. Send a text A standard text can get through when calls can't. Charges may apply. Use Wi-Fi calling or an app If your broadband still works: Wi-Fi calling, WhatsApp, Messenger, iMessage or Signal. Emergency? Call 999 or 112 It's free and connects through another network, even when your phone shows "SOS only". No network at all? Emergency SOS via satellite works on iPhone 14 or later, and Satellite SOS on Pixel 9 or later (not the Pixel 9a). Go outside with a clear view of the sky. Texts can get through even when a network is extremely busy, and you can set your phone to resend a failed message as a text automatically: in the Google Messages settings on Android, or under Messages in your iPhone's settings. Standard text charges may apply. No mobile network at all? Some phones can reach the emergency services by satellite. Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite works on iPhone 14 or later in the UK, and Google's Satellite SOS works on Pixel 9 and later, except the Pixel 9a. You'll need to be outside with a clear view of the sky. To make your battery last, turn the screen brightness down and switch on battery saver or Low Power Mode. If your mobile signal at home is always weak, our guide to Wi-Fi calling explains how to set it up before you need it. Stay safe, check the power is back, restart your equipment properly, check for a known outage, then report the fault to your provider. Reporting it quickly matters, because the compensation clock only starts when you do. After the storm Back online fast: eight steps, in order Stay safe first Keep well away from fallen cables. Call 105 about power lines (03457 643 643 in Northern Ireland), or 999 if anyone's in danger. Is the power back? A red power light on an Openreach fibre box means it's on battery, so check your mains power. Report power cuts on 105. Restart properly Unplug the fibre box's power lead at the box, not the wall. Wait about 15 seconds, plug it back in and wait for solid green lights. Check for an outage Use your provider's service status page on your phone's mobile data. Report the fault Tell your provider, not Openreach, and note the date and time. Compensation counts from your report. Stay connected meanwhile Use your phone's mobile data or hotspot. Your council may list libraries or community hubs offering charging and support. Keep records With providers in Ofcom's scheme, you get £10.34 a day once two full working days have passed. Look out for others Check on older neighbours and telecare users. Forward scam texts to 7726. If the power's back but the broadband isn't, the next two sections show you how to restart your fibre box properly and how to check for an outage. Still stuck? Our guide to telling a line fault from a Wi-Fi problem helps you work out where the problem is. Unplug the power lead from the box itself, not at the wall, wait about 15 seconds and plug it back in. When the PON and Tel lights stop flashing and turn solid green, it's back to normal. After the storm · full fibre on Openreach Restart your fibre box the right way Openreach fibre box (ONT) Unplug at the box Pull the power lead out of the box itself. Switching off at the wall lets the back-up battery keep it running. Wait about 15 seconds Then plug the power lead back in. Wait for solid green When the PON and Tel lights stop flashing and stay solid green, you're back. Why not just switch it off at the wall? BT explains that the box's back-up battery kicks in, so it doesn't actually switch off. BT also says a red power light means it's running on its back-up batteries, so check your mains power supply. If you're still offline, Openreach suggests turning your broadband equipment off and on again, giving it time to start up, and checking all the cables are connected properly. On a part-fibre line there's no separate fibre box, so restart your router and check the cables. Not sure which box is which? Our guide to the modem, router and ONT explains. Check your provider's service status page on your phone's mobile data before you spend time on hold. If the fault is on their side, it may already be listed, along with any fix time. If nothing is listed, report the fault anyway. Our guide to whether your broadband is down or it is just you walks through the quick checks. Treat every fallen cable as live and keep well away. Call 105 about power lines in England, Scotland or Wales, or 03457 643 643 in Northern Ireland, and 999 if anyone's in danger. Report damaged phone poles or cables to Openreach on 0800 023 2023. The Energy Networks Association's advice for damaged power lines is to keep as far away as possible, keep other people away without putting yourself in danger, and contact your network operator straight away. "If there is an immediate risk to life or someone is in danger, dial 999." For phone poles, cables and street cabinets, Openreach takes reports by chat from 7am to 7pm every day, or on 0800 023 2023 if it's an emergency or outside those hours. It asks you to pinpoint the spot with the What3Words app or the nearest postcode. Openreach doesn't take broadband fault reports from the public, so for your own connection, always go to your provider. Yes, if your provider is in Ofcom's automatic compensation scheme and your broadband or landline isn't fixed within two full working days of you reporting it. Ofcom says this applies "even when the problem is caused by an event beyond your, or your provider's, control", including extreme weather. After the storm · broadband and landline compensation A storm doesn't cancel your compensation £10.34 a day while your broadband or landline isn't fixed, after two full working days from your report £32.31 if an engineer doesn't turn up, or cancels with less than 24 hours' notice £6.46 a day if a new service doesn't start on the date you were promised How it adds up: days still not fixed after the two-working-day wait Storms count. Ofcom says you should be paid "even when the problem is caused by an event beyond your, or your provider's, control", and that this "includes extreme weather". The 10 providers in the scheme You don't need to claim. The money normally arrives as a credit on your bill within 30 calendar days of the fault being fixed. It won't be paid if the problem was caused by equipment or activity in your home, if you've broken your contract terms, or if you caused the fault or stopped it being fixed. Mobile isn't part of the scheme, which covers home broadband and landline. Ofcom says that if your provider isn't signed up, or your mobile was affected, "you might still be entitled to compensation", so complain to your provider or network. Our guide to compensation after extreme weather goes into the detail, and our compensation rates guide keeps the current figures. In England, Scotland and Wales, usually yes, and it's automatic. In a severe storm, network operators have 24 or 48 hours to restore power, then pay £90 plus £45 for every 6 hours after, up to £2,235. In Northern Ireland, the standards may not apply in severe weather. After the storm · power cut payments Power off for days? In Great Britain, you're paid automatically Category 1 storm in England, Scotland or Wales: what you're paid £90 for the first 24 hours, then £45 for every 6 hours after, up to £2,235. Bars drawn to scale. Category 2 storm The most severe storms: £90 once power's been off for 48 hours, then £45 for every 6 hours after. Normal weather £100 for homes after 12 hours (24 hours if more than 5,000 properties are hit), then £45 for every 12 hours after. Northern Ireland NIE Networks says its standards "may not apply" in severe weather, and it paid no compensation after Storm Éowyn. Ofgem says you don't need to make a claim: your network operator pays you if it has your bank details, or the money comes through your energy supplier. If nothing has arrived after a few months, contact your network operator, because a missed payment may mean they owe you an extra £40. The payments don't cover damage to electrical equipment or appliances. If you're on the Priority Services Register, network operators must offer extra help in a power cut, such as battery packs, though Ofgem says you don't get extra payments for being on it. In Northern Ireland, NIE Networks normally restores power within 24 hours or pays £50 for a home, then £25 for every 12 hours after, if you claim within a month. But it says these standards "may not apply" in severe weather, and after Storm Éowyn it told customers to contact their insurer about any loss or damage. Make a formal complaint. If it isn't resolved after six weeks, or your provider sends a deadlock letter sooner, you can take it to a free, independent dispute scheme. If it still isn't sorted Six weeks, then a free, independent decision 1. Complain to your provider Use its formal complaints process. 2. Wait six weeks Or less, if it sends a deadlock letter. 3. Take it to free ADR An independent scheme looks at it, at no cost to you. Communications Ombudsman 0330 440 1614, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm CISAS 020 7520 3814, or cisas@cedr.com Keep notes as you go: when you reported the fault, who you spoke to and any reference numbers. Our guide to complaining and going to the ombudsman takes you through it step by step. Keep 999, 105 (or 03457 643 643 in Northern Ireland), the Openreach damage line and your provider's fault line on paper as well as in your phone. Ofcom recommends a pen-and-paper list, kept somewhere safe and easy to remember. Storm numbers to keep on paper Checked 24 October 2026 on each official website. Tap a number to call it. Add yours too: your mobile network, and a neighbour or relative who can check on you. The dispute schemes' numbers are in the section above. Sources: Ofcom (2026e); Relay UK (n.d.); Energy Networks Association (n.d.); Openreach (n.d.); GOV.UK (n.d.); Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (n.d.); National Gas (n.d.); Utility Regulator (n.d.); Report Fraud (2025); Bank of England (n.d.). If you're deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired, register for emergencySMS now by texting "register" to 999 and following the replies. You must register before you can use it, and Relay UK says to use it only if you have no other option, because it's slower than a voice call. If your broadband often goes down, it's worth thinking about. Ofcom's advice says you "might want to consider satellite internet as a backup, especially if you live in a rural or remote area". A backup connection Ofcom suggests satellite as a backup, with one catch “If your broadband often goes down, you might want to consider satellite internet as a backup, especially if you live in a rural or remote area.” Ofcom, Stay connected in severe weather, October 2026 ✓Doesn't use local phone lines or masts A fallen pole or a mast without power doesn't stop it, as long as you have power and a clear view of the sky. ⚡Needs mains power Starlink's spec sheet puts the Standard kit at 75 to 100 W on average, so in a power cut it needs a battery back-up or power station. ↻Check the sky after a storm Fallen branches or a dish knocked out of place can block the view. Check for obstructions in the Starlink app. Be clear about what a backup can and can't do. Satellite broadband doesn't depend on local phone lines or mobile masts, so it can keep working when those are down. But the dish and router need power, so in a power cut it only helps if you have a battery back-up or a portable power station big enough to run it. 4G or 5G home broadband is another backup option, though it relies on local masts that can lose power too. Ofcom also suggests that having different mobile networks in one household, or an eSIM on one phone, gives you a better chance that at least one service is available. Our guide to Starlink vs 4G and 5G compares the options with the latest UK speed data. Broadband goes down every winter? Compare backup options Starlink's UK home plans start from £40 a month on rolling terms, though the cheapest plan is only available in some areas (checked 22 October 2026). Prefer to talk it through? Call 0330 122 1223 Free and independent. 30+ providers, cheapest first. In summary Alex's closing thought Two storms in one week is a good reminder that most of what keeps you connected costs nothing: a charged phone, a few numbers on paper, and knowing to report a fault straight away so the compensation clock starts. If your broadband goes down every winter, it's worth looking at a backup, and we're always happy to help you find one that suits your home. Stay safe out there, and check on the neighbours. When things go wrong Power cuts and landlines Know someone in the path of the storm, or an older relative living on their own? Send them this. You are welcome to quote and link to this article. Please credit BroadbandSwitch.uk and link to this page. In a sentence: Ofcom's "Stay connected in severe weather" advice (13 October 2026, updated 22 October 2026) says home broadband and digital landlines won't work in a power cut without back-up power, 999 and 112 connect free through any network, and people whose broadband often goes down might consider satellite internet as a backup; after a storm, broadband and landline customers of the 10 providers in Ofcom's automatic compensation scheme get £10.34 a day once two full working days have passed since reporting the fault, including when extreme weather caused it. No, not unless your router and broadband equipment have a back-up power source. Ofcom says home broadband, including any digital landline, won't work in a power cut without one. Your phone's mobile data may still work if local masts have power. Not if it's a digital landline, unless you have a battery back-up. If you rely on your landline and don't have a working mobile or reliable signal, your provider must offer you a free back-up that lasts at least one hour. Your own network isn't available, but you can still call 999 or 112 free of charge through another network. It shows as emergency calls only on Android and SOS only on iPhone. Yes. Calling 999 or 112 is always free and works without credit. If your own network has no signal, the call connects through another network if one is available. Unplug the power lead from the box itself, not at the wall, because the back-up battery would keep it running. Wait about 15 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the PON and Tel lights to stop flashing and stay solid green. Your broadband provider, not Openreach. Report it as soon as you can, because automatic compensation counts from when you report the fault. If your provider is in Ofcom's automatic compensation scheme, yes: £10.34 for each calendar day your service isn't fixed once two full working days have passed since you reported it. Ofcom says this includes extreme weather. BT, EE, Hyperoptic, Plusnet, Sky (including NOW Broadband), TalkTalk, Utility Warehouse, Virgin Media, Vodafone and Zen Internet, as at 24 October 2026. Mobile isn't covered by Ofcom's automatic compensation scheme, which covers home broadband and landline. Ofcom says you might still be entitled to compensation, so complain to your mobile network. In England, Scotland and Wales, usually yes, and it's automatic. In a Category 1 storm you get £90 after 24 hours, then £45 for every 6 hours after, up to £2,235. In Northern Ireland, NIE Networks says its standards may not apply in severe weather. Call 105 for free in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, call NIE Networks on 03457 643 643. If anyone is in danger, call 999. Not on its own. The dish and router need mains power, and Starlink's spec sheet puts the Standard kit's average use at 75 to 100 W, so it needs a battery back-up or power station. It doesn't use local phone lines or mobile masts. Written by Dr Alex J. Martin-Smith, Founder of BroadbandSwitch.uk (LinkedIn). Reviewed by Adrian James, Broadband Editor (LinkedIn). Published 24 October 2026. Every fact, figure and phone number was checked on the official source on 24 October 2026. Rules, numbers and opening hours can change, so check the official page if you're unsure. This is general information, not legal or financial advice. The infographic recreates Ofcom's advice in our own design and is not an Ofcom graphic. We may earn commission if you buy through our links; it never changes the order deals appear in (how we rank deals). Starlink is a trademark of Space Exploration Technologies Corp, and BroadbandSwitch.uk is independent and not endorsed by Starlink or Ofcom. Corrections are logged publicly in our corrections log.Broadband down after a storm? Ofcom's new severe weather advice, how to get back online fast and the numbers to keep
WEATHER
What has Ofcom said about staying connected in severe weather?
Will my broadband and landline work in a power cut?
How do I get ready before a storm?
What should I do if calls won't connect during a storm?
The storm's passed and I'm offline. How do I get back online fast?
How do I restart my Openreach fibre box after a power cut?
How do I check if there's an outage in my area?
Provider Check for an outage Report a fault BT (broadband) BT service status Track or report it online at BT Help, or text HELP to 61998 Sky (broadband) Sky service status Sign in to your Sky account to run checks and get help NOW Broadband NOW service status Use Check my Hub and Test my line on the same page Virgin Media (broadband) Virgin Media service status 150 from a Virgin Media landline, or 0345 454 1111 TalkTalk (broadband) TalkTalk service status 0345 172 0088, or report it online in My Account Vodafone (mobile) Vodafone network status 191 free from a Vodafone mobile, or 0333 304 0191 from a landline O2 (mobile) O2 service status Report an unknown problem on the same page EE (mobile) EE coverage checker Log in to check service status and planned works Three (mobile) Three network support Live chat, 8am to 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 8pm at weekends Who do I call about fallen poles, cables or power lines?
Am I owed compensation if a storm took my broadband out?
Do I get money back for a power cut after a storm?
What if my provider won't sort it out?
Which numbers should I keep by the phone?
Should I get a backup connection, such as satellite broadband?
Keep going: more help when the weather turns
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Martin-Smith, A. J. (2026, October 24). Broadband down after a storm? Ofcom's new severe weather advice, how to get back online fast and the numbers to keep. BroadbandSwitch.uk. https://broadbandswitch.uk/insights/ofcom-severe-weather-advice-get-back-online-after-storm/ Frequently asked questions
Does Wi-Fi work in a power cut?
Will my landline work in a power cut?
What does SOS only or emergency calls only mean on my phone?
Can I call 999 with no credit or no signal on my network?
How do I restart my Openreach fibre box after a power cut?
Who do I report a broadband fault to after a storm?
Do I get compensation if a storm knocks out my broadband?
Which providers are in Ofcom's automatic compensation scheme?
Is there compensation for a mobile outage?
Do I get compensation for a power cut caused by a storm?
What number do I call in a power cut?
Does Starlink work in a power cut?
References
Broadband down after a storm? Ofcom's advice and key numbers
Written by Alex Martin-Smith (LinkedIn) • Reviewed by Adrian James (LinkedIn)
Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
Quick summary: Ofcom's new storm and power cut advice, how to get back online fast, the compensation you could be owed and the numbers to keep. Checked 24 October 2026.
The minimum for a free back-up
1 hour
The longest some providers offer
7 hours
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
PowerGreen: running on mains power
PowerRed: on its back-up battery, so check your mains power
PONSolid green: back to normal
TelSolid green: back to normal
1
2
3
1 day
£10.34
5 days
£51.70
10 days
£103.40
BTEEHyperopticPlusnetSky (including NOW Broadband)TalkTalkUtility WarehouseVirgin MediaVodafoneZen Internet
Off for 24 hours
£90
30 hours
£135
36 hours
£180
48 hours
£270
72 hours
£450
BTEEPlusnetUtility WarehouseTesco MobilegiffgaffiD MobileLebara
SkyNOWTalkTalkVirgin MediaVodafoneO2ThreeSMARTYVOXILyca Mobile
Emergencies. Free, no credit needed, works through any network
Text “register” to 999UK
emergencySMS, for deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired people. Register before you need it105England, Scotland, Wales
Power cuts and damaged power lines03457 643 643Northern Ireland
NIE Networks: power cuts and damaged power linesOpenreach: fallen poles, loose cables or damaged cabinets
0345 988 1188England, Scotland, Wales
Floodline, 24 hours0300 2000 100Northern Ireland
Flooding Incident Line, 24 hours0800 111 999Great Britain
Gas emergency, 24 hours0800 002 001Northern Ireland
Gas emergency, 24 hours0300 123 2040England, Wales, NI
Report Fraud (replaced Action Fraud). In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 1017726UK
Forward scam texts here, freeYours
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