jmcquown wrote:
>
> On 8/2/2013 5:38 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> > On Fri, 02 Aug 2013 02:12:25 -0400, Cheryl >
> > wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >>
> >> I just use my generator to keep my fridge and downstairs freezer going.
> >> Oh, and my hair dryer if the power is still out when I have to go to
> >> work. I will power my laptop if the battery runs out, but with no
> >> internet there's no point really. If I'm bored I'll play computer games
> >> if I can't find something else to do. I also like to keep some lights
> >> going because I can't stand just candlelight or flashlights for very long.
> >
> > Why do you lose internet? Does the cable go out? I have DSL and it
> > will stay on as long as my battery backup has power. I don't think
> > I've ever lost phone service.
> >
> Ah, but there is always an exception. I had DSL when I lived in TN.
> Massive storms knocked out the power in a tri-state area (some places
> for weeks). It also zapped the phone lines in some areas, mine
> included. I didn't have a cordless phone, just plug-into-the-wall
> phones. DSL didn't work, nothing worked. You've been lucky.
>
> Jill

In the old days, phone service was ultra reliable because everyone was
individually wired directly back to a Central Office (CO) building that
was staffed, had backup generators, etc. That was the big fat telephone
cables on the poles, hundreds of individual copper pairs all going back
to the nearest CO.

Today due to cost and capacity issues, many areas, particularly those
with new residential developments are not wired back to a CO, and
instead connect to a nearby Remote Terminal (RT) which is essentially a
mini CO on a pad (you'll see a collection of several large tan cabinets
on a concrete pad) that has copper connections out to the adjacent
homes, and a fiber optic connection back to the nearest CO.

The RTs have backup batteries which are good for ~8 hours if they are
well maintained, and they have a power inlet connection (round
protrusion about 3" dia and 8" long angled downwards) for a generator.
There are no generators at the RT locations, one has to be towed in by
the Telco and connected in the event of an extended power outage. If it
is a widespread outage the Telco may not have enough generators to go
around and thus only RTs with VIPs connected will be prioritized.

Cell sites and MMDS towers (wireless Internet service) have a limited
number of sites and normally have permanently installed backup
generators so those sites will normally remain operational during a
power outage. Onsite fuel is usually good for a few days, after which
those sites will also fail unless they are refueled, and in all but the
most severe storms they usually do manage to get them refueled.