[2026-06-28 image ©vodafone] OfCOM has come out with some more details of how the mobile (and broadband) companies need to protect their networks in event of a power cut. In the case of mobile networks they would be concerned about a power cut to the mobile mast as well as the downstream core operations. Looking at a mobile mast it is obvious that to keep this up and running for any length of time would be well over what a battery could do and in these times having generators kick in may not be acceptable.
Thankfully most power cuts are short lived and whilst an issue is not as difficult to manage as long term (days) of power cuts. The issue for the network operators is that we as mobile customers would not be too bothered for a drop in service of a couple of minutes. However if there are major power outages, that occur annually as a result of winter storms then people need to use their mobile. The mobile operators cannot be expected to be able to keep the network running when there is a long widespread power outage. Indeed it seems to me that is is NOT the task of the mobile operators and the UK needs to have a power network that is more resilient.
OFCOM have come out with some new rules regarding suplementary power that mobile operators need to install to make the network more rsilient. Whilst the operators are sympathetic they are not making large steps in this direction and OfCOM is looking to speed the operation up.
