[TelstraClear] Does TelstraClear Cable need power to work

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geek4me

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#17259 19-Nov-2007 12:30

We had a power cut in Trentham Upper Hutt last night. I have a UPS that keeps the Computer Xnet/VFX phone and Cable modem working. If I switch the power off at the wall I can access the Internet till the battery runs out however, with last night's power cut affecting a larger area the SB5101 Motorola cable modem Power light was On but the Receive Send and Online lights were Off. When the power was restored (3 hours later) the modem then connected normally.

I had hoped that the UPS would ensure I would have access to the Internet but there was none hence my question whether power is needed for the TelstraClear Cable service to work - and for my Xnet/VFX phone to work too! My first test with a real power cut and I had no phone or Internet.

geek4me

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#95921 19-Nov-2007 13:38

I have just spoken to the TelstraClear Help Desk. They told me that the Cable Network uses Repeaters to boost the signal on the cable. These Repeaters need power to work. I had no Send or Receive data lights so there was no traffic due to no power for the Repeaters.

Makes having a UPS a bit of a waste of time if you want Internet or phone access during a power cut on the TelstraClear cable network. How many Geeks out there are aware of this? The Internet does not work on TelstraClear Cable during a power cut even if you have a UPS if you get your signal via a Repeater.

grant_k

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#95928 19-Nov-2007 14:01

geek4me: The Internet does not work on TelstraClear Cable during a power cut even if you have a UPS if you get your signal via a Repeater.

The same issue arises for ADSL subscribers who are connected via a Roadside Cabinet. AFAIK, this is going to become more commonplace as the NGN is rolled out to replace the existing POTS network.

There's a lot to be said for having a Mobile Data Card sitting around as an emergency standby during a power outage (happens about once a month in our rural area).

Bung

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#95930 19-Nov-2007 14:09

grant_k:
geek4me: The Internet does not work on TelstraClear Cable during a power cut even if you have a UPS if you get your signal via a Repeater.

The same issue arises for ADSL subscribers who are connected via a Roadside Cabinet. AFAIK, this is going to become more commonplace as the NGN is rolled out to replace the existing POTS network.

A roadside cabinet does have more scope for backup batteries under it than a repeater in mid air. Do you know that the NGN roll out won't include backup?

grant_k

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#95931 19-Nov-2007 14:11

Bung: A roadside cabinet does have more scope for backup batteries under it than a repeater in mid air. Do you know that the NGN roll out won't include backup?

Well, it was according to an article I read on the Stuff web site. Shows the folly of relying on what you read in MSM I guess

Bung, as you are obviously in the know, would you care to enlighten us with details of how long the typical roadside cabinet can keep going without power?

sbiddle

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#95932 19-Nov-2007 14:20

TCL's cabinets do contain batteries in them and this will power the OTN hardware to supply the phone service. I'm not ensurely sure whether all of the amplifiers that provide the coax part of the network have backup but I had a feeling they did.

Maybe somebody from TCL would like to comment on this officially?

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#95934 19-Nov-2007 14:34

Don't ask me I thought you might know.

There have been comments about the users equipment not working without power but I haven't noticed any telco statement about how long their equipment will work. We as consumers are probably being softened up to accept much less security of supply than in the past.