[ NNSquad ] Re: FCC upset about "cell phone logjam" after D.C. quake

[ssc <ssc@strikenet.kicks-ass.net>]

Ben et all,
In TWC, we have the same problem, the pole boxes have a battery monitor, and they are highly remiss in tasking crews to replace failing or marginal batteries. Thus they fail the 'carrier grade" description by a wide margin. At least the telco mafias have a regular replacement schedule, as Ive been the recipient of some of their out of service batteries, which still have a good amount of power left in them. The wireless systems are generally, seriously lacking in standby power equipment. Last major power failure we had, they stood up for about 4 hours, about the time for the battery plant to discharge, being as under-rated as possible. When i worked cellular in the 1980's, Western Union designed many of our sites, and we had 24 hrs battery, and a genny that kicked in, in seconds, with a 100 gallon reserve tank, or either propane or diesel, depending on the power plant. We were good for a week at the least.

Ben Kamen wrote:

     Many newer wired systems now depend on remote equipment away from
     the CO with limited battery backup.  The problem is vastly worse
     on the wireless networks, where most of the profusion of
     microcells and interconnecting circuits not only have limited
     battery backups, but no independent generating facilities.

It's really quite freaky when people with telephone provided by their CATV company don't realize that their local CPE is where their loop comes from along with all the battery powered equipment on the poles in between that handset and dial-tone.

I would wonder what the CATV company's policy is on replacing batteries in those CPE units.
On a regular schedule or when someone complains it's not working?

I have some ISDN bridges that suffered the same problem -- except I also had another land line in addition since the ISDN was paid for by my employer. I had a UPS on it... but then again, I'm not the normal customer.

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