Fibre networks are often built with a combination of passive and active equipment, where passive equipment does not typically require batteries, but active equipment does. Site Essence partners with multiple Fibre Network Operators (FNO’s) who also have these diverse networks in place. The issue is that when these networks were built many years ago, very few predicted the levels of load shedding we have today. Whilst some active components of the fibre network do have batteries, others do not. Where there are batteries, they do not have sufficient time to recharge during continuous load shedding (in a similar manner to mobile networks). Some FNO’s also made a conscious decision not to place expensive batteries in manholes/street boxes around many South African neighbourhoods, simply due to the theft risk. The location and associated logistics make it impossible to protect thousands of these boxes spread out in all areas of the city. Often when batteries are stolen, equipment is also vandalised, resulting in days of downtime to restore services – hence, if batteries are not there, FNO’s have seen that their equipment is not as “attractive” to theft/vandalism. But without batteries, the service does go down during load shedding and ultimately affects you, as the customer.