nanog mailing list archives

Re: California public safety power shutdowns


From: "Radu-Adrian Feurdean" <nanog () radu-adrian feurdean net>
Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2019 07:51:43 +0200

On Wed, Oct 9, 2019, at 22:26, Sean Donelan wrote:

- Will this affect cellphone service?

Generally no because this is a power shutoff, without other disaster 
damage.  All major switching offices have backup generators for 24 
to 72 hours and nearly all cell towers and outside plant have backup 
batteries for 4 to 8 hours and/or backup generators.  Service providers 
should be able to re-charge batteries and refill generator tanks 
throughout the power shut-off.  Of course, if there is some other disaster 
during this time, there would be less resiliance in the network.

In a Previous e-mail:

 Public Safety Power Shut-offs (PSPS) in California wildfire high-risk areas.

So, during a Power shut-off because of wild*fire* risk, operators are supposed to be able to re-charge batteries and 
supply generators with fuel (I suppose diesel, regular gas being even worse) in the affected areas ? Did I understand 
things wrong ?

I don't have an issue with shutting down power preventively in order to reduce an already high risk, but pretending 
that other people will keep their electricity-dependent equipment up, especially by providing flamable stuff - isn't 
this a huge WTF ?


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