How long will internet service last after the blackout? Spain remains connected by generators for now

A single incident, like a power outage, can turn an entire country upside down. Spain, Portugal, and parts of France have suffered a widespread blackout that, according to Red Eléctrica, will take between six and ten hours to return to normal. For context, the outage began around 12:00 CET.

From Portugal, the operator Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) points to a problem related to a strange atmospheric anomaly, which could take up to a week to resolve fully. The power will be turned on gradually, as the complexity of the phenomenon in question leaves no other options.

Given this situation, a question arises: What will happen to the Internet? The truth is that, in the short term, it can ‘survive’ for a few hours thanks to intermediate groups with a relatively short lifespan. In such situations, the network can be compromised.

“The Internet works because there are intermediate devices (data switches) distributed throughout cities," Arturo Azcorra, deputy director of Imdea Networks, told El País. And while large data centers can persist for longer, the connection would not be possible without these intermediate “agents.”

Telecommunications giant Vodaphone says to use mobile service “responsibly”

Currently, Vodafone, one of the main internet and telephone service providers, has reported that its network remains 70% operational, thanks to the use of generators and backup batteries. However, the stability of its service in the coming hours will depend on the duration of this unusual event. Vodafone Spain advises its customers to use mobile communications responsibly to prevent overwhelming the service. As for other operators, they have yet to provide updates on their network status.

While efforts to restore service are underway, connectivity primarily relies on Wi-Fi access, which is dependent on electricity that office buildings can generate independently. The situation is more challenging in streets and rural areas, particularly unless they are near critical infrastructure. Without Wi-Fi access, connecting to services becomes exceedingly difficult for these users.

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