actually I know about infrastructure and construction my father does it for a living, and I help part time when I need the money<br/>as long as the local switchboard has power and the line is intact, land lines in the US are built to keep working. it's why they're so reliable, even if the entire region loses power, as long as the switchboard (which have mini-generators in case of emergency) is safe, powered, and not overtaxed.<br/>with power restored the payphones and cellphones come back online, cell towers are attached to a city's powergrid, and do not have their own backups, standard procedure.<br/>Wheeee I'm smart