Storm also disrupted mobile networks and fuel sales

The storm that swept through Latvia over the weekend has highlighted how heavily mobile communication networks depend on a stable power supply. While service had been restored across most of the country by Monday, disruptions were still ongoing in some regions by midday.

Limited backup power

Mobile operators' base stations are equipped with backup batteries, but these are designed to last only a few hours without an external power connection. Generators, which could provide longer-lasting power, cannot be installed at every station.

Fuel retailers affected

The communication outages also created difficulties for fuel retailers, complicating operations at filling stations in the regions hit hardest by the storm.