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. > > [ See: > > "Your Cable Company -- powered by the guy with the extension cord" > http://j.mp/otoUtM (Interesting People) > > -- Lauren Weinstein > NNSquad Moderator ] > > - - - > > -Ben > >
