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Wireless, Landline Networks Hold Up to Irene
Power Outages Remain the Biggest Issue
Despite significant power outages up and down the east coast (this article is being posted from a cafe because of one), the New York Times states that wireless networks held up relatively well to Irene. For many, wireless networks were the only thing that really worked (aside from ham radio) during the storm, providing helpful news on the storm in large part thanks to networks like Twitter. The FCC says they're still analyzing the storm's impact, but the agency says that no 911 center was without service and that it had received no reports of public safety communications disruptions. The agency did say that 1,400 cell sites along the coast were down, and several hundred were running on backup power. Power remains the largest issue for many, with utilities telling many it may not be until Thursday before power is restored. As an aside, NAC.net did a great job keeping us up and running, and has been very helpful in reaching out to offer support.
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Voodoo288
Common Sense Dictates
Premium Member
join:2002-08-19
Richmond, VA

Voodoo288

Premium Member

Also posting from a remote location...

...and my wireless services here in Chesterfield are not good. Plus there were reports of 911 issues in several areas surrounding Richmond yesterday. The communications infrastructure in many areas south of Richmond are still under downed trees.

state
stress magnet
Mod
join:2002-02-08
Purgatory

state

Mod

I had more trouble

Keeping a good signal on the radio stations for updates than I did making calls or sending text messages. AT&T was rock solid on data and voice.

Oh, and a helpful tip during power outages... I don't know if PC laptops will do this, but a Mac laptop will continue to provide power on the USB ports even when the lid is closed and sleeping. I was able to use mine as a huge power brick to recharge phones while the power was out.
chances14
join:2010-03-03
Michigan

1 recommendation

chances14

Member

Re: I had more trouble

said by state:

Keeping a good signal on the radio stations for updates than I did making calls or sending text messages. AT&T was rock solid on data and voice.

Oh, and a helpful tip during power outages... I don't know if PC laptops will do this, but a Mac laptop will continue to provide power on the USB ports even when the lid is closed and sleeping. I was able to use mine as a huge power brick to recharge phones while the power was out.

some pc laptops do. my gateway does but my dell does not

battleop
join:2005-09-28
00000

battleop

Member

Re: I had more trouble

The last few Dells I've had support this feature. Usually you have to trun it on in the BIOS and it only works on one USB port.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Cell svc uninterrupted during Hurricane unlike earthquake

No outages to my cell svc during the Hurricane weekend and all calls went thru w/o problems. Unlike when we had the East Coast earthquake where I could make no calls for a couple hours due to circuit overloading.

tubbynet
reminds me of the danse russe
MVM
join:2008-01-16
Gilbert, AZ

2 recommendations

tubbynet

MVM

Re: Cell svc uninterrupted during Hurricane unlike earthquake

said by FFH5:

Unlike when we had the East Coast earthquake where I could make no calls for a couple hours due to circuit overloading.

this is a well-documented occurance





q.

Smith6612
MVM
join:2008-02-01
North Tonawanda, NY

1 recommendation

Smith6612

MVM

Re: Cell svc uninterrupted during Hurricane unlike earthquake

lol. xkcd's comics are just wonderful
moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD

moonpuppy (banned) to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
said by FFH5:

No outages to my cell svc during the Hurricane weekend and all calls went thru w/o problems. Unlike when we had the East Coast earthquake where I could make no calls for a couple hours due to circuit overloading.

Same thing here but the big problem with cell service was people losing their charge on their cell phones and no way to charge them.

Good thing my amateur radio gear held up.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Cell svc uninterrupted during Hurricane unlike earthquake

said by moonpuppy:

Same thing here but the big problem with cell service was people losing their charge on their cell phones and no way to charge them.

I didn't lose any power to house thru the whole weekend, so it wasn't an issue for me. But if house power was out, I can charge my cellphone and laptop in the car. It is a hybrid and has enough battery power onboard to charge electronic devices for days on end w/o even starting the engine up.

jazzlady
join:2005-08-04
Tannersville, PA

jazzlady to moonpuppy

Member

to moonpuppy
said by moonpuppy:

said by FFH5:

No outages to my cell svc during the Hurricane weekend and all calls went thru w/o problems. Unlike when we had the East Coast earthquake where I could make no calls for a couple hours due to circuit overloading.

Same thing here but the big problem with cell service was people losing their charge on their cell phones and no way to charge them.

Good thing my amateur radio gear held up.

Can't people just charge their cell phones using a car charger?

tubbynet
reminds me of the danse russe
MVM
join:2008-01-16
Gilbert, AZ

tubbynet

MVM

Re: Cell svc uninterrupted during Hurricane unlike earthquake

said by jazzlady:

Can't people just charge their cell phones using a car charger?

depends on the outlet being "switched" or not.
i've owned vehicles that turn off the 12v outlet if the car is not in acc/on. while i'm sure everyone holds priorities a little different, if i'm in a storm like that -- i want to make sure that if i need to get out -- i am able to do so using my vehicle (making sure the battery is charged and i have fuel).

q.
en103
join:2011-05-02

en103 to jazzlady

Member

to jazzlady
I was wondering the same thing. I actually have a 15 Watt solar panel and inverter (12V) that I can charge up a few items (SoCal = sunny).

antdude
Matrix Ant
Premium Member
join:2001-03-25
US

antdude

Premium Member

Re: Cell svc uninterrupted during Hurricane unlike earthquake

said by en103:

I was wondering the same thing. I actually have a 15 Watt solar panel and inverter (12V) that I can charge up a few items (SoCal = sunny).

And hot!!!

fifty nine
join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

fifty nine

Member

Cable held up pretty well

Cable here held up for a long time after the power was out. But I don't think they would hold up forever unless techs were out connecting generators to the power supplies.

Going on my 2nd day without power here. HURRY UP!
n2ubp
join:2007-07-13
Middletown, NY

n2ubp

Member

Total horse pucky

Last mile phone and cable service is out all over the place in my area. My ARES group was one end of a ham radio relay for comms between two different counties 911 centers due to an extended phone outage at one location. Who drank the kool aid?

IowaCowboy
Lost in the Supermarket
Premium Member
join:2010-10-16
Springfield, MA

IowaCowboy

Premium Member

landlines worked better

My Comcast Digital Voice worked better during the storm. My Verizon Wireless iPhone had 1 bar at my house when it usually has 3-4 and kept breaking up during calls. 3G Data did not even work as it would kick down to 1xrt or not work at all. This is in Western Massachusetts.

sprint_user
@comcast.net

sprint_user

Anon

Don't believe the press...

Sprint has been down for days in the Burlington VT area and I can't even get the company to acknowledge it. Don't believe what you read in the press.
errorrrr
join:2009-12-14

errorrrr

Member

T-mobile data not working in NYC

... great time to get a new phone eh? got a phone yesterday, data worked for 2 hours, then stopped working today... I dont' even know if it's my phone or the network ... >_>

Somebody with T-mobile android 4g phones help me out here see if they get connection?