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Old 01-01-2021, 04:19 PM   #15
panjumbie
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Most cable based Internet systems have a number of active elements along the path from the head end to you. Many are powered by voltage sent down the cable from power supplies fed by the electric utility, others are directly powered by the utility at the equipment location. Many have short-term (hours, usually) battery backup in the power supplies, so they may continue to operate for a while after utility power is lost.

Some cable companies will proactively deploy a generator to important points in their systems to keep them powered in the event of an extended loss of utility power. So it depends, how the system was designed, how well the batteries are maintained, and whether the cable company takes care of its customers in the event of an extended outage.

FIOS and some (but not all) other fiber optic networks have an outside plant that is totally passive, no power required. These are referred to as PON (or passive optical networks). Your ONT and router at home obviously needs power, and may have a UPS or (limited) battery backup. And the "head end" of the fiber system may have a generator backup, or only limited battery backup. Good luck on trying to get a straight answer from the provider. The techs will know, but the sales people will probably promise the world without any facts to back it up.

Historically, at least around here, FIOS and other FTTH systems have had a better record than coax based cable systems when it comes to reliability. No system is even close to perfect, just better.

New 5G systems claiming to provide high bandwidth without a drop to your house will require power at the cell site locations, and given that the "reach" is only about 1000 feet or less, they require many more cell sites in rural or suburban areas than 3 or 4G. Less likelihood that those cells will have anything more than battery backup if that. So a loss of utility power at the cell site probably will wipe them out.
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