I can update some info as I’ve been working all night on the power control systems down there, well trying to anyway :-}
Mobile comms are pretty ,much all on battery power, most of which only last 8-10hrs. I know tcl and vf are recharging some sites with generators and also boosting signal strength to cover more area. Power is firked basically, approx 50-70% disconnected. Central city won’t get power for days/week as too dangerous to put back on given massive drainage damage and liquifaction (have you ever seen that – it;s insane). Internet sporadic, some 3G/gprs data is still working, some ISP’s are OK as well strangely but only those with decent backup generators. Its sporadic.
Don’t call, use txt only as this saves the mobile network capacity and it’s fully on the edge. That was a really weird shake, we lost quad cards out the back of servers in racks, they were literally thrown out, these take a hard push with two hands to get in normally so that was the sideways motion. Incoming capacity (internet and voice) is maxed out , we’ve been watching some stats and you’ll struggle to get inbound calls connecting to NZ full stop quite a lot of the time. Ditto internet bandwidth internationally has been quite heavy. The damage is quite localised though to central city and surrounds within say a 10k circle of lyttleton, beyond that some damage but minimal and power/comms ok’ish. Problem is that main trunks are through CHCH central. Telecom centre there is closed/gone.
I’m in Wgtn just now, anyone needs info or specifics email me or post here as I’ll be here all day now inbetween small naps !
Terrible terrible event though, i was in tears yesterday watching the carnage unfold. And shitting myself as i sit in my brick building in wgtn which is allegedly due a big one.
As an aside i got a text at 3am from a dear friend of mine that said “View from up here amazing. Yes still on L11 with no stairwell but wine rack close at hand and imminent death avoided. Hopefully out soon. xx” – bizarre, she got out this morning.