Power Related Network Outages: Impact, Triggering Events, And Root Causes

Without power, communications equipment does not operate, rendering network nodes inoperative. As such, network fault management must include the ability to monitor the AC and DC power capabilities necessary to run the network. In large scale networks, communication facility power is often triply redundant. In spite of significant redundancy, loss of power to communications equipment affects millions of telecommunications subscribers per year. This is an empirical study of 150 large-scale carrier telecommunications outages occurring in the US over an 8 year period. A major conclusion is that outages can be reduced and recovery enhanced if carriers followed industry best practices relating to telecommunications power