VM Phones - What happens in a power cut?

KingDaveRa · 22-02-2009, 19:05

I've heard this from an otherwise reliable source, but I want it confirmed by somebody else.

Assume I had a bog-standard phone attached to a VM phone line. Just your average handset, totally powered by the line.

What happens during a total local power cut?

In the case of a BT line, it'll stay on for as long as the generators at the exchange are fuelled and running. I've heard VM's lines go dead, however, which I could kinda believe as a lot of the kit is roadside, and presumably powered from there too, so it's feasible it would go off.

Is it true, or false? Or perhaps differs by previous franchise area?

v0id · 22-02-2009, 19:33

There's usually a battery backup power supply in the cabinet in case of a powercut

Nikesh · 22-02-2009, 19:47

Last time we had a power cut, we could still use the Virgin landline.

moaningmags · 22-02-2009, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikesh

Last time we had a power cut, we could still use the Virgin landline.

Same here, I usually phone the leccy company for an update.

KingDaveRa · 22-02-2009, 23:14

Fair enough. I did wonder, from a safety point of view.

Thanks for the answers

Pog66 · 23-02-2009, 11:39

had a power cut last week - Virgin landline was fine for the couple of hours it was out we were able to phone electric co for status updates

demented · 23-02-2009, 16:26

Yeap. Used to have about half a dozen powercuts a year until 2-3 years ago. Always worked throughout.

Gavin78 · 23-02-2009, 17:05

I'm stuffed either way in a power cut, soon as the power goes off my cordless phone loses signal to the base unit.

moaningmags · 23-02-2009, 17:06

I keep a corded phone in the hall for just that purpose.

Peter_ · 23-02-2009, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin78

I'm stuffed either way in a power cut, soon as the power goes off my cordless phone loses signal to the base unit.

As Mags says you should always have a corded phone for emergencies and most cordless phone instructions advise this and the is no excuse not to have one considering they start from as little as Ã‚Â£2.99.

**Paul** · 23-02-2009, 18:48

VM phone lines work exactly the same as BT (in most cases the phone exchanges are the exactly the same technology).

Matth · 23-02-2009, 21:02

I remember losing the VM line in a big powercut, so while the cabinets have some backup (or are maybe powered from elsewhere), I'd say VM is not quite as robust as BT.

dizzi · 23-02-2009, 22:16

I have a corded phone... no idea where I've put the blasted thing because I was going to put it on the other phone socket (when I find that as so far I've found three BT sockets and one Virgin one in this house but there's meant to be a second one somewhere!)... but I have one... somewhere

Nedkelly · 23-02-2009, 22:22

They have a battery back up once the power goes the cab will alarm to let us know that the power has gone .Then we go out and power up the cab so you do not loose your phone. If BT brought the fibre into the street they would have the same problem .All Headends Hub sites have generator back up

23-02-2009, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moldova

As Mags says you should always have a corded phone for emergencies and most cordless phone instructions advise this and the is no excuse not to have one considering they start from as little as Ã‚Â£2.99.

The chances of my 2 mobiles being flat out of battery at the same time is pretty remote so Ill not be buying a wired phone anytime ever lol