Outages can be caused by a number of factors; some are easy to identify and can be resolved remotely while others need additional investigation and may involve dispatching a technician to the site of the outage. If a cable is damaged, the exact location needs to be identified.

In some cases it may be underground, under a road or public access. These may require excavation in order to access the damage and in some instances the restoration may require permits or road traffic management for technician and public safety.