Phasing out home phones

[#1]

---

@bgiles wrote:

Your example ... ... are prime examples of the importance of having backup power plan at home.

In addition to everything else mentioned so far -

• Make sure that you are signed up for TEXT alerts from your power network provider, in my case (Essex) UK Power Networks
• Be aware of HOW to report a power cut to your provider, and try and be the first to immediately report a power cut, as I've found that most people assume someone else will do it ! - the sooner you report a problem, the quicker the problem gets solved.  It also appears (at least for me) that the first reporter appears to be kept best informed, compared to subsequent customer reports.  In my case (in Essex) the simplest way to report a power cut is to TEXT "POWER my-postcode" to 80876
• Ensure anyone you know who is vulnerable during a power cut is registered on their power supplier's Priority Services Scheme

[#2]

Your situation sounds similar to mine, frequent power cuts (especially in winter bad weather) and non-existent mobile connectivity.  I have enough battery backup power to keep the house ticking over for a couple of days if we're careful, and ration power.  Before I installed the battery system I used to rely on a generator for back up power, but it was manual start and changeover so far from ideal to hook up and start at times.

My main concern now is the FTTC cabinet failing when there's a power cut.  It does have a small backup battery but in reality that doesn't seem to be able to keep the cabinet going for long, typically it falls over after about 30 minutes if the power fails.  What I have found is that, despite not being able to get a mobile signal on a phone, I can just about get a weak, but usable mobile signal using a dish antenna mounted on the roof and pointing at our nearest mast.

Not idea, as the system wasn't cheap, but it does provide (very slow) internet access when the power goes off, and very luckily the mast it's pointing at has a generator to keep it going when the power fails.  The speeds I'm getting from this system are barely good enough for even simple web browsing but they seem to be fine for using VOIP.  I've now made a few VOIP calls using this system and they seems to be at least as good as the landline.  Reassuring knowing we now have an option to call for help should the worst happen when the power is off.

[#3]

I had a small ups years ago, it could connect via USB to the of which could then monitor the status and amount of time left and shutdown when power was running low. I had assumed this was a standard feature but maybe not?

Battery died on it eventually and being skint I binned it rather than have it hanging round my neck needing money like many other things

[#4]

---

@JSHarris wrote:

My main concern now is the FTTC cabinet failing when there's a power cut.  It does have a small backup battery but in reality that doesn't seem to be able to keep the cabinet going for long, typically it falls over after about 30 minutes if the power fails.

According to this - New measures to better protect vulnerable customers agreed with Telecoms firms 

Providers will be required to work to provide back-up solutions that go beyond regulator Ofcom’s minimum of one hour of continued, uninterrupted access to emergency services in the event of a power outage.  

Presumably now, if your FTTC cabinet battery discharges in under an hour, then customers should be able to report that as a fault to their ISP (for Openreach to fix), as your SoGEA VoIP access to emergency services would be interrupted within the minimum one hour specification.

[#5]

@JSHarris  I saw this and thought it might be of interest for you to follow -

        ISPreview : Ofcom Consult on UK Telecoms Resilience and Battery Backup for Mobile Masts 

[#6]

Interesting para in the Guidance document

In the case of fixed access networks, we expect powered ‘active’ components in street cabinets to
have a minimum of 4hrs of power backup (except where these are planned to be replaced or
discontinued within five years of the date of this Guidance).

[#7]

I remember the wind up radios being popular during the three day week, out of curiosity, does anyone produce a wind up phone ?

[#8]

I've not seen a wind-up phone, but I did recently see this 4G mobile with a rotary dial and brass bell ringer !