How long does a cell tower last?

[Minerva]

When the power goes out how long should we expect to have service on our wireless phones?

We have FIOS (no POTS) and the ONT batts will last perhaps 24 hours, then nothing.

We do have a few CB radios that have not been turned on in over a decade. Assuming the mast does not topple over. It survived Irene but this looks like it's going to be a much worse ass whipping.

 

[Mark R]

It depends on what the network designers have planned for that tower.

Increasingly, cell service is provided by more and more small scale microcells or nanocells - this is particularly the case with 3G and 4G networks. Older networks, such as TDMA/GSM/GPRS are capable of spanning much larger areas due to lower carrier frequencies and less bandwidth contention.

Where I've lived in built up areas, the small-scale 3G local cell towers have no battery backup. When the power goes out, they go out. However, the longer-range 2G cells (based on big towers, or tall building roofs) tend to be battery backed for 6 hours at least, with some of the most important ones having facilities for a portable generator to be connected. I've only ever seen one with a generator actually installed - and that was way out in the boonies and had no electricity supply, other than the generator!

 

[Minerva]

Oh shit that does not sound good at all!
We're in the boonies, no 4G, some HSPA+ and of course 3G stuff. Most of the shacks next to the towers are small, no generator set. I've seen those big ones you're talking about and some have big gensets outside.

Oh well, looks like this should be fun!