WHAT DOES A BACKUP BATTERY DO?

Backup batteries for optical network terminals allow you to continue to use your home voice line during a power outage. Without a backup battery or alternate home backup power source (such as a generator), customers will not be able to make calls during a power outage, including emergency calls to 911. The only way to maintain the ability to use your voice line during a power outage is by using some form of backup power. A backup battery for the optical network terminal does not provide power to any services other than voice. Internet service, computers, home security systems, medical monitoring devices, and other equipment will not run on a residential optical network terminal’s backup battery. Cordless phones and their base stations are not powered or charged by the backup battery. Other factors besides a power outage can interfere with your telephone and E911 service, including extreme network congestion, fiber cuts or damage, and other causes of a network outage.