Wind storms in Britain (BT power systems)

Two hurricane-force storms in the past three years have severely tested the British Telecom UK network. The task of restoring telecommunications service presented huge challenges in the deployment of staff equipment and materials. Experience was gained about both systems and procedures and, in particular, the importance of remote alarm, interrogation, and control facilities. The author describes the extent of the disruption and deals mainly with the performance of telecommunications power systems, the lessons learned and plans for closer integration of network power and building services within the network operations unit.<>