"Cell phone towers typically are built very well, and have sufficient battery/generator backup to keep them running for up to 48 hours after losing main line power. As long as the fiber connection to the shack remains intact (and that conduit is designed to flex quite a bit), cell phone service will be there."

thanks for that info. I didn't know that. it definitely sounds like the weak link in the system is the local phone company, and not the towers. after a major quake, I wouldn't expect that anyone would show up at the company anyway.

In LA, I am expecting phone service to be down for weeks, and maybe months. that may be a very pessimistic outlook.

If the State of California and the cell phone companies really got their ACT together, it sounds like some very good things could be done. The cell phone system could be made much more robust after a major earthquake.

pETE