Landlines operating on VoIP systems require power. Batteries built into the phones die after 8 to 12 hours without power and need to be recharged. Find the unit that delivers power to the phone. It is usually located beside the electrical panel inside the home. Plugging this unit into a generator for an hour will give another 8 to 12 hours of use to the telephone.
One of the most disconcerting features of the most recent ice storm was the feeling of isolation as access to communication networks on which we rely were cut off.
Neither land lines nor cellphones seemed to provide a reliable connection to emergency services, making some of our vulnerable residents feeling at risk. Why did nothing seem to work? It seems the answer boils down to the severity of the power outage.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulates all telecommunication businesses and services in the country. Telephone and cell service companies create networks that by law must provide access to9-1-1 services to ensure we can call for help from emergency responders including police, firefighters and paramedics. Why did the system break down?
During the recent ice storm, many local landlines did not work. Telephone service in our area is provided by Nexicom, but the technology behind the service varies depending on the service location.
Telephone communication in rural areas served by Nexicom is delivered through copper lines laid underground years ago. These lines are not affected by power outages, but the remote “boosters” established to speed up internet access need power to operate. These are located along the sides of many rural roads in the area. Bruce Buchanan, Manager of Network Operations at Nexicom, explains that when the power goes out, these boosters continue to function for8 to 12 hours thanks to back up batteries inside the units. When power is out for longer than this, Nexicom staff travel to these units and connect portable generators to recharge these batteries, which takes about an hour and gives them another eight hours of life. Most rural telephones continued to operate during the power outage as Nexicom staff rotated the generators to support these remotes. However, in some location downed trees and power lines prevented them from accessing some of these units until Hydro workers cleared a safe path. During this interval, land lines in these areas did not work.
Landlines in Millbrook operate through fibre VoIP technology which relies on the internet. This means that when the internet is down, so are the phone lines. This was not the problem during the recent ice storm because Nexicom’s internet service was never interrupted. Large generators at Millbrook, Lakefield and Keene ensured all Nexicom services were operational for customers with power. Residents accessing the warming rooms at the Millbrook Legion and the CMCC could always access the internet at those locations because these facilities have generators. Telephones without power were unable to connect to the internet, so they didn’t work.
Landline phones that plug into the wall (ie are not portable) have built-in batteries similar to those in the remotes along rural roads. These batteries keep these phones operating for 8 to 10hoursduringa power outage. The battery only supports the actual telephone line, not the display in the handset: a dial tone indicates a phone still works. These batteries can be recharged just like the remotes by plugging their power cord into a generator. See photo for details.
Many residents no longer have landlines at home, relying on personal cell phones for communications. During the recent ice storm, cell service was limited because the power was also knocked out to many cell towers. Fortunately, cell phones have an emergency mode, called SOS, which allows emergency callsto911 to connect to emergency services through satellites and back up communication systems. In some phones, the mode comes up automatically when there is no cellular connectivity available or there is a problem with the phone. Cell phones must be charged to function.
Dramatic weather events like last month’s ice storm are likely to occur more frequently as severe weather becomes more common. Being prepared means not only having emergency supplies of water, flashlights, batteries and food, but knowing how to call for help should the situation become dire. We must all become preppers now.