Following the major power outage of April 28, Telefónica is preparing a “blackout shield” so that their networks fixed and mobile withstand supply interruptions and maintain service in critical situations.
The rollout will begin in 2026 and is based on backup batteries, generators and alternative energy sources in key locations. The company anticipates a investment of hundreds of millions and higher operating costs due to maintenance and periodic equipment renewal.
Why this reinforcement and what does the regulator foresee?
Red Eléctrica has indicated sudden voltage changes Following that blackout, and although he rules out an imminent collapse, he calls for control measures. Meanwhile, the government is working on a decree for 2026 that will impose resilience obligations on operators.
Mobile network: staggered autonomy based on criticality
Telefónica's mobile network, with some 22.000 sites in SpainIt will adopt a tiered backup scheme to avoid leaving sensitive areas without service during long outages.
- El 50% of the sites will have autonomy around 2 hours.
- Other 40% will raise resistance to 4h in strategic locations.
- El 10% The most critical will have support of up to 8h.
The solution will vary depending on the environment: in urban rooftops It is almost impossible to install diesel generator sets due to weight, safety, and neighborhood opposition, while in suburban or rural towers Yes, it is feasible to integrate generators.
The plan requires constant maintenanceGenerator inspection, fuel logistics and periodic replacement of batteries, whose performance decreases over time.
Fixed network: more hours and simpler deployment
During the last blackout, the Fiber optic cable remained operationalHowever, many users didn't notice because their home router needs electricity. The reinforcement will focus on the central offices, not on home equipment.
Network hubs These are industrial buildings that can already house batteries and generator sets. Here the ambition is greater: most will achieve 4h of autonomy, others will rise to 8h and a strategic group will be able to reach 24h.
The Canary Islands, a front with tailored measures
The operator is preparing a specific plan for the Canary Islands that strengthens both the mobile and fixed networks, taking into account their insular condition already the greatest exposure to power outages.
Project timeline, investment and governance
The deployment will begin in 2026 and is part of the group's medium-term strategy. The investment will be millionaire and will be accompanied by an increase in recurring operating expenses and support for the new systems.
The initiative is driven by Marc Murtra, the company's top executive, with the idea of positioning Telefónica's network as a benchmark in robustness and continuity of service in the face of extreme events.
What changes for users
If power outages occur, the goal is to conserve mobile coverage and network connectivity for as long as possible. To take advantage of fiber optic internet at home, it will be necessary that the router has power (for example, using external batteries or UPS) and that the user knows configure network priorities, something outside the scope of this plan.
With this shield, Telefónica intends gain service time In the event of blackouts: autonomy of 2, 4 and 8 hours in mobile depending on criticality, and up to 24 hours in fixed power plants, with an additional boost in the Canary Islands and a future regulatory framework that pushes the entire industry to increase its resilience.
