[PCWorld]

Post your comments for FAQ: Your Right to Phone Service During a Protest here

[ronin7752]

Excellent information!

[waldojim]

A few notes here, as I think they are needed. In Building repeaters are often unmonitored, or unreported. Namely because they are not "service affecting" according to the FCC. EG. Many Walmart locations use IBRs to boost strength in their stores. Should one go down, it could be down for a week before anyone bothers to check on it. These devices have little to no impact on the network as far as the carrier or FCC are concerned. Depending on exactly how many locations get shut down, there is no need to even report it. Say only 5 cells need to be turned down in front of the state capitol building in NY. The carrier can shut down each one, and never face an FCC inquiry simply because it is not a reportable outage.

Second, that FCC outage report that "takes time", takes about 10 minutes to fill out, and electronically file.

Third, going back (sort of) to point one. IF the local LEO, Mayor, Governor, etc decides it is in their best interests to shut off power to the IBRs, most can do so without ever actually involving the wireless carrier. Simply turn off power to them, or unplug them. The carrier doesn't provide power, or backup power for those devices.

Yes, the carriers have responsibilities. No I do not believe (personal thought here) that cell phones are a basic requirement for anyone. I also believe that when you ABUSE a privileged, then it should be taken away from the abusers.

Lastly, I want to say this, the carriers can EASILY re-program the IBRs, and cell sites to allow 911 traffic ONLY. This way, no one can whine about them only having a cell phone for emergencies, as the government is cutting off all other traffic.

/That is all. Move along citizen.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 20 September 2011 - 10:37 PM

[MrHasselblad]

Let me please attempt to clarify a few points/issues...

At this point a majority of carriers and stations do not in fact have back-up power, but... Depending upon what part of the country we are refering to... That most of the newer installations do in fact have a somewhat limited version of (usually) battery back-up power - even in some cases solar. Although it is also noted that it might be a number of years before a majority of such "stations" are brought up to speed.

Also somewhat related... Want to get around this type of issue? simply get a SatPhone or any of the other numerous methods that cannot be shut down "yet".

[nonseq]

waldojim, on 20 September 2011 - 10:36 PM, said:

A few notes here, as I think they are needed. In Building repeaters are often unmonitored, or unreported. Namely because they are not "service affecting" according to the FCC. EG. Many Walmart locations use IBRs to boost strength in their stores. Should one go down, it could be down for a week before anyone bothers to check on it. These devices have little to no impact on the network as far as the carrier or FCC are concerned. Depending on exactly how many locations get shut down, there is no need to even report it. Say only 5 cells need to be turned down in front of the state capitol building in NY. The carrier can shut down each one, and never face an FCC inquiry simply because it is not a reportable outage.

Second, that FCC outage report that "takes time", takes about 10 minutes to fill out, and electronically file.

Third, going back (sort of) to point one. IF the local LEO, Mayor, Governor, etc decides it is in their best interests to shut off power to the IBRs, most can do so without ever actually involving the wireless carrier. Simply turn off power to them, or unplug them. The carrier doesn't provide power, or backup power for those devices.

Yes, the carriers have responsibilities. No I do not believe (personal thought here) that cell phones are a basic requirement for anyone. I also believe that when you ABUSE a privileged, then it should be taken away from the abusers.

Lastly, I want to say this, the carriers can EASILY re-program the IBRs, and cell sites to allow 911 traffic ONLY. This way, no one can whine about them only having a cell phone for emergencies, as the government is cutting off all other traffic.

/That is all. Move along citizen.

Thanks, Jim. Valuable insights.

[waldojim]

MrHasselblad, on 21 September 2011 - 05:38 AM, said:

Let me please attempt to clarify a few points/issues...

At this point a majority of carriers and stations do not in fact have back-up power, but... Depending upon what part of the country we are refering to... That most of the newer installations do in fact have a somewhat limited version of (usually) battery back-up power - even in some cases solar. Although it is also noted that it might be a number of years before a majority of such "stations" are brought up to speed.

Also somewhat related... Want to get around this type of issue? simply get a SatPhone or any of the other numerous methods that cannot be shut down "yet".

For an in building repeater, carriers have absolutely no desire to deal with back up power. Cell sites already DO have backup. All sites have batteries, usually good for 8 hours. Many larger sites have permanent generators.

[waldojim]

nonseq, on 21 September 2011 - 05:59 AM, said:

Thanks, Jim. Valuable insights.

Not a problem

[boblearigq4a]

So useful!

[TheOldTopkick]

waldojim, on 20 September 2011 - 10:36 PM, said:

A few notes here, as I think they are needed. In Building repeaters are often unmonitored, or unreported. Namely because they are not "service affecting" according to the FCC. EG. Many Walmart locations use IBRs to boost strength in their stores. Should one go down, it could be down for a week before anyone bothers to check on it. These devices have little to no impact on the network as far as the carrier or FCC are concerned. Depending on exactly how many locations get shut down, there is no need to even report it. Say only 5 cells need to be turned down in front of the state capitol building in NY. The carrier can shut down each one, and never face an FCC inquiry simply because it is not a reportable outage.

Second, that FCC outage report that "takes time", takes about 10 minutes to fill out, and electronically file.

Third, going back (sort of) to point one. IF the local LEO, Mayor, Governor, etc decides it is in their best interests to shut off power to the IBRs, most can do so without ever actually involving the wireless carrier. Simply turn off power to them, or unplug them. The carrier doesn't provide power, or backup power for those devices.

Yes, the carriers have responsibilities. No I do not believe (personal thought here) that cell phones are a basic requirement for anyone. I also believe that when you ABUSE a privileged, then it should be taken away from the abusers.

Lastly, I want to say this, the carriers can EASILY re-program the IBRs, and cell sites to allow 911 traffic ONLY. This way, no one can whine about them only having a cell phone for emergencies, as the government is cutting off all other traffic.

/That is all. Move along citizen.

Some very good thoughts. Unfortunately there are a few things in life that I do not like, but have to accept.

[ChewbacaJones]

Two comments,

Two years ago I asked at a training why for example why would we leave cell phones to work in a Mitatry type combat zone area? My
response was what?

Second, very recently invester info brought up the fear growing by companies of Flash Mob based attacks on there stores. Example retail shops in London by what was typed as fringe Houligans.

One for now should ask what can I expect when using additional serices in a publis domian?

Good info, thank you.

[JTF243]

Considering how liberal most of the Hollywood denizens are, it surprised me to hear this line in one of the Star Wars movies:
"So, this is how Freedom dies - - to thunderous applause!"