Re: Comcast outages continue even in areas with PG&E power restored

[Matt Hoppes <mattlists () rivervalleyinternet net>]

Except I’m not talking about CPE. I agree that’s the customer’s job. 

I’m talking about keeping the nodes up and running. 

> On Oct 15, 2019, at 7:50 AM, Brandon Martin <lists.nanog () monmotha net> wrote:
>
> > On 10/15/2019 09:42, Matt Hoppes wrote:
> > I disagree with the statement that providers should not be required to backup their networks.... while I don't think 
> > it should be an FCC requirement, I do believe the providers have an obligation to do that.
> > That's one of the reasons we generally opt for larger node sizes. Yes, it does cut down on the total bandwidth you 
> > can push out to end users, but in a disaster its much faster to recover as well as provide backup power that is up 
> > 24x7 vs hundreds of little nodes.
>
>
> I'm generally OK with the provider pushing demarc CPE backup power off onto the customer unless they're providing 
> "POTS-like" service.  Aside from POTS, I don't think there's ever been expectation of telecommunications services 
> working during a power outage unless the end user provides backup power.  I'm not even sure residential deployments 
> of ISDN came with power for customer-prem ATAs, etc. unless you made special arrangements, but ISDN was never popular 
> here, so I'm not sure. If you have a T1 PRI, the LEC will probably keep it up to your prem, but you're responsible 
> for keeping whatever you're plugging that T1 into up during a power outage.  Heck, they may not even do that.  I've 
> certainly seen T1 smartjacks hosting real, honest PRIs that were line-powering repeaters without battery on them, so 
> who knows even in that case.
>
> After all, the user has to keep the equipment they're using up, too. That's certainly not the provider's 
> responsibility.  Telcos aren't power utilities (usually, and when they are it's generally a separate operation).  
> Yes, I understand that many users have wireless/portable in-home equipment with batteries of their own and are often 
> using all-in-one demarc/routers provided by their provider, nowadays...
>
> I do think that providers should generally at least offer some basic guidance on how their users might accomplish 
> this even going so far as to provide, install, and maintain such means if paid to do so, but I don't think it's 
> something to be expected when you're buying cable TV or public Internet access service.  Again, POTS-like service is 
> different.
>
> I do feel that modern IP providers really should strive to keep their end of the network up regardless.  That is, 
> even during a reasonable power outage, providers should be able to deliver usable signal to their customers absent 
> actual damage to plant.  Exceptions made for natural disasters, fuel shortages, and widespread, extended power 
> outages that just overcome the ability to shuttle portable gensets around fast enough to keep batteries charged.  
> However, unless you're otherwise subject to regulation due to monopoly status, having received ample amounts of 
> build-out subsidy, or providing historically regulated telecommunications services, I'm not sure that regulation is 
> the best way to achieve this.
>
> --
> Brandon Martin