[johndubchak]

I think this point needs to be highlighted here:

No power = no cell coverage

Landlines are a thing of the past and for the most part that means that people lack the ability to call for help beyond your basic 911 service.

So we’ve effectively tied two pieces of critical infrastructure together and made one dependent upon the other.

That needs to be addressed and resolved.

[mschuster91]

> So we’ve effectively tied two pieces of critical infrastructure together and made one dependent upon the other.

Worse: POTS and ISDN landlines are getting shut down left and right (at least in Germany, probably also in the US) as there are simply no linecard manufacturers remaining. Everything is switched to CPE-terminated VoIP crap (ever tried sending a fax with a fax machine linked on a consumer VoIP circuit?). So even if you HAVE a landline, its usability for 911 depends on the DSLAM having backup power (which many only have for 24-48h).

[PeterisP]

"No power = no cell coverage" is not an unavoidable state of nature. Cell towers can and should have autonomous generators, that's a thing popular even in places that are both less wealthy and less prone to power outages than California.

[linusnext]

Working on a Mesh network for Vallejo to extend to the successful Oakland one.

[rrss]

It is pretty common for cell towers to have backup power. Not all of them do, but many.

[mikestew]

I'm assuming backup power is a diesel generator, though, right? My experience with long-term WA outages is that the diesel runs out in a few days, and no one comes to refill it.

Amateur radio license: if my wife can pass the test, anyone on HN ought to be able to.

[dredmorbius]

You'll want to have a refueling SLA on that generator.

The risk profile as of a month or so ago now includes short-notice extended multiple-day intentional power-outs from the utility service itself.