The other serious consequence of bad space weather is the possibility of damage to Earth orbiting satellites. The damage can a single instant breakdown of some internal electronic component, or increased deterioration of spacecraft surface materials, sensors, and solar panels. There are quite a few communication satellites up there providing us telephone links, television programs etc. that we are dependent on. Another way the satellites can be affected is due to heating and expansion of the upper atmosphere, that leads to increased neutral density and drag at satellite orbit. Geomagnetic activity is an important source of enhanced Joule heating , and it is possible that flare related X-ray radiation could do some heating, too.
Solar flares affect the communication in other ways, too.