California Blackouts Hit Cellphone Service, Fraying a Lifeline [telecom]

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As power is cut to reduce the wildfire risk from electrical wires and towers, a primary source of emergency communication is put in jeopardy.

By Carol Pogash and Brian X. Chen

California's recent power shut-offs, meant to reduce the risk of potentially catastrophic fires, have had an unwelcome side effect. The blackouts have also cut power to many cellphone towers, blocking the main communications source for many in harm's way.