Fibre broadband - what happens to the connection if there's a power outage?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Fibre broadband - what happens to the connection if there's a power outage?

geekIT

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#298740 12-Jul-2022 11:06

Regarding my upcoming fibre installation, I'm getting the impression that if there's a power outage, broadband will disconnect, so there's no phone connection, except for cells. Is this correct? It's no bfd, I'm just used to a copper line that's power-independent.

If so, I guess it's also possible that the overhead copper lines here might remain (Otautau, Southland) for a while? As I said, no bfd, just curious.

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#2941054 12-Jul-2022 11:12

This is a current statement on the Spark website that mentions this.

https://www.spark.co.nz/help/vulnerable-consumers/

The same info is also in the "Important things to know" section on the plan pages for Fibre/wireless BB here - https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/internet/plans/

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Sounddude

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#2941056 12-Jul-2022 11:16

Regarding my upcoming fibre installation, I'm getting the impression that if there's a power outage, broadband will disconnect, so there's no phone connection, except for cells. Is this correct? It's no bfd, I'm just used to a copper line that's power-independent.

The core broadband network itself is backed up by batteries and generators. Its really just the home which doesn't have batteries.

There are plenty of options out there for battery backups which will power your ONT and Modem to survive a power outage.

Talkiet

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#2941057 12-Jul-2022 11:18

Oh man - that's some pro-level quoting-fu you got there :-)

Cheers - N :-)

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timmmay

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#2941059 12-Jul-2022 11:20

Constant Vigil have a range of battery backup devices that can keep your ONT and router running during a power outage. I have the sentry lite v1 with a 7ah battery and it works fine, runtime when it was new was about 7h from memory. I also have an 80W solar panel and a few 30AH lead acid AGM batteries, so in an extended outage I can have power to run these devices, also charge AA batteries with a charger that runs from 12V, charge phones from a 12V to USB adapter, etc.

Scott3

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#2941066 12-Jul-2022 11:24

You ONT needs power, but the fiber network is passive to the exchange (which will have backup power).

As such if you have a battery backup on your ONT, your internet / phone should stay live in a power cut.

You can do this either with an AC UPS, or a DC battery back up.

At a pinch, you could run the ONT off a little inverter, using a car as a generator.

Sounddude

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#2941067 12-Jul-2022 11:27

Talkiet:

Oh man - that's some pro-level quoting-fu you got there :-)

Cheers - N :-)

Oopps! :-)

dacraka

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#2941069 12-Jul-2022 11:34

timmmay:

Constant Vigil have a range of battery backup devices that can keep your ONT and router running during a power outage. I have the sentry lite v1 with a 7ah battery and it works fine, runtime when it was new was about 7h from memory. I also have an 80W solar panel and a few 30AH lead acid AGM batteries, so in an extended outage I can have power to run these devices, also charge AA batteries with a charger that runs from 12V, charge phones from a 12V to USB adapter, etc.

Yes I have had one for about seven years. Works very well. I am onto my second backup battery as the first one died over time.

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nztim

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#2941078 12-Jul-2022 11:43

If you have no mobile service at your address or are considered Vulnerable you can get a UPS from your RSP (and they are bound by law to do so, 111 Contact code)

Otherwise in a fibre world you are expected to use your mobile in a power outage - There are cheap USB power Banks you can buy from PBTECH or you can charge your mobile off your car battery

If you want a UPS (self funded) for your ONT and Router you can pick these up at PBTech too

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

nztim

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#2941100 12-Jul-2022 12:17

On another note if you use Spark/Vocus/NowNZ you only need to keep the ONT powered as that is how Voice is delivered - Other RSPs you need to keep both the RGW and the ONT powered

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#2941155 12-Jul-2022 14:55

I have a couple of Eaton 3S UPS in the home office - power the ONT, router, switch, NAS and desktop. If the main power is disconnected the NAS and desktop shutdown after two minutes each. The UPS keeps the ONT and router for about 30 minutes.

quickymart

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#2941164 12-Jul-2022 15:37

I seem to remember a UPS on sale in 2007 for around $130 that gave about 20 minutes of backup power. Would a similar type of device be sold today?

Talkiet

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#2941165 12-Jul-2022 15:43

Well this all just reminded me to go check the battery in my UPS that covers my router, switch, home automation server etc.

Anyway, Jaycar have replacement batteries for $45. Can't complain about that :-)

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

freitasm

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#2941170 12-Jul-2022 15:50

Talkiet:

Well this all just reminded me to go check the battery in my UPS that covers my router, switch, home automation server etc.

Anyway, Jaycar have replacement batteries for $45. Can't complain about that :-)

N.

I actually have three UPS - the second one in the office stopped working, so I got a new one from PBTech. During the week I bought a replacement battery for that old UPS and it is working fine again, so it's now in the lounge, behind the TV, Xbox and Chromecast - the idea is to just have time to power down things nicely because of the experience during a previous weekend where the TV flicked like crazy (in Wellington).

nztim

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#2941174 12-Jul-2022 15:54

freitasm:

I have a couple of Eaton 3S UPS in the home office - power the ONT, router, switch, NAS and desktop. If the main power is disconnected the NAS and desktop shutdown after two minutes each. The UPS keeps the ONT and router for about 30 minutes.

Not bad for Sub 200

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Talkiet

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#2941178 12-Jul-2022 15:56

Yep, too many people throw out a UPS when the battery dies, not realising the batteries are (in all but the most diabolically cheap and nasty items) intended to be consumables (3-5 years in most cases with basic battery chemistry and use). I have an ancient APC SmartUPS 650 and as I say, it's going to be as good as new after a $45 battery is thrown at it.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

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