[LUG]Re: OT: Voip power cut, FTTC

[Eion MacDonald <maceion@xxxxxxxxx>]

To DCLUG attention: Henry Bremridge<
Attention:   Henry Bremridge via list <list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Copy:  Eion MacDonald (U3A) <maceion@xxxxxxxxx>
Dear sir,
20241216 at 13.50 approx
Re: [LUG]OT: VoIP power cut, FTTC

Our village 'went digital' a couple of years ago.
The major result was that we 'lost' ability to call emergency numbers 
from land line phones as no power is now supplied by BT to keep phones 
active. Land line phones (old type plugged into router) and digital 
phones all loose connectivity in event of power loss.

This resulted in my self and wife each buying a mobile phone (Old DORO 
clamshell) so we would have ability to call emergency numbers via an 
active mobile mast. Until then we did not use mobile phones.

We have not considered using a UPS, but we do have a car starter battery 
which we keep charged, as we need this to start our old automatic car if 
its internal battery fails.
Auto car as I have  had a wonky left leg for many years.
This is effectively a small suitcase sized lead acid battery from 
Halfords, we have had for many years and it is charged up every two 
months or so. It has a number of outlets:
Wires to charge or start car.
 5V take off
 12 Volt take off - (will run a laptop)
 USB connection to power things by USB

We have found this a useful thing, but we remember to charge at least 
every 3 months maximum. (Date of last charge is written on slip of paper
attached to this battery)

We rarely have power outages now, but about 6 year ago there was major 
problems in our area and they occurred about fortnightly for a while.

We have  found having it gave  piece of mind, especially when we had my 
mother with us as partially sighed in her last few years.
So: we have emergency heater  paraffin as well, in case of power loss
and gas cut off.
Gas cut off occurs when usually a big lorry breaches a local bridge and 
they cut gas to do repair etc. Gas main runs alongside bridge.

'cut off' of services is both physically and mentally troubling nowadays.

May I wish you the best for New Year
Regards
Eion MacDonald
[ 8 Kirkby Road, Culcheth, WA3 4BS; 01925 762873 ]

On 16/12/2024 13:17, Henry Bremridge via list wrote:
> We lost power for 8 hours in the last storm and given we are dependent on Voip I was 
> thinking of getting a UPS for modem, router etc. The other half of the village were 
> only out for 6 hours.
>
> If however we have an area outage then presumably the cabinet will also lose power 
> and hence getting a UPS for voip is probably a waste of money.
>
> Links:
>
> https://community.bt.com/t5/Home-phone-including-Digital/Mains-power-cuts-and-DigitalVoice/td-p/2217183
>
> https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/08/bt-prep-advanced-battery-backup-for-uk-phone-and-broadband-users.html
>
> Does anyone know how I can check whether the local cabinet has a battery or 
> alternative power?
>
>
> FTTP (for those lucky to have it seems to be covered)
>
> https://www.bt.com/help/landline/what-equipment-will-i-get-with-fibre-to-the-home-or-fibre-home-p

--
Regards
Eion MacDonald

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