This discussion is absurd. It is based on false claims made by...

This discussion is absurd. It is based on false claims made by some shock jock looking to create an issue to suck listeners like kincella in.
The NBN as with the existing network would keep operating in a power outage until it's back-up batteries went flat. That seems to be about 24 hours from my experience of longer blackouts during cyclones.
Mobile phones die after about 48 hours when the batteries in their towers run down.
After that the only way of communicating is CB radio or satellite.
Since I had a generator and satellite internet the internet became our only form of communication for about a week after the last cyclone.
Dave R.