Hi,

We're considering Shaw digital phone and just wondering how it performs during the recent large scale power failure in Vancouver (GVRD) due to windstorm?

I know that their cable and phone systems are 2 separate networks but a bit concerned since our Tv and Internet were out for close to 48 hours.

I know Shaw digital phone has backup battery on its modem for 8 hours but what if the power station hosting the 'phone' system was knock out, are they able to maintain the 99.9% up-time required by the CRTC?

Thanks!

yeah it works in a power failure. They have generators that keep it going. but in some cases it will fail, It will fail if there lines get knocked down with the power lines. I have family in vancouver bc who said their Telus landline was out for 3 days. So any provider can go out if the weather is strong enough. I have lost power in Winnipeg before and my phone was okay.

Update: I just phoned Shaw now talked to digital phone support he said some areas have power backup and some areas dont. The areas that dont he said they might loose phone service, he told me he hasnt seen the power out for more then 4 days. He said within 6-12 months they will be getting power supply in all areas. thanks

From what I've heard, Shaw Digital Phone will only last about 4 hours in a power failure. Regular land line will do fine as long as the phone lines aren't downed. Of course, if that is the case, NO ONE has phone service, power or not.

I think the 4 hours is the UPS they install in your home. I know people who have augmented with more batteries to get 12-18 hours.

Hmmm....according to Shaw's website, the in-home battery backup for the phone modem should be 8 hours. But I guess this is just a theoretical number :eek:

Actually the Shaw website should be accurate. According to the Motorola datasheet, it says up to 12 hours of standby and up to 8 hours to talk time.
So I would assume it's reasonable for Shaw to use 8 hours as their guideline.

However I believe this is with 2 batteries in the unit. It normally ships with 1 battery so it states up to 6 hrs of standby and up to 4 hours of talk. I'm not sure whether Shaw uses 1 or 2 batteries.

You've never had a land line go out? Telephone cables run on the same poles as power and cable so the freak storms we've been having that took out power could just as easily take out cable and/or landline.

Oops ... I know that didn't make much sense. I meant to post it in the other Vancouver Shaw Dgital phone outage thread where the op said he never had a Telus failure. Sorry about that.