Battery Back-Up Questions

The standby operating times of 8 hours or 24 hours are estimated and will vary as the batteries age. Please follow the detailed instructions and warranty information included with your battery backup system for proper use, storage, and care to ensure that it will function as specified during a power outage. You should test your backup battery solution periodically, as described in the instructions included with your battery, to verify both the operation of the backup battery and its condition.

An E911 sticker should be displayed on your ONT to remind you of the voice service limitations associated with fiber and cable-based networks. If you do not have that label or would like additional ones, you can pick them up at no charge at SCI REMC’s main office.

If you are concerned about being able to contact 911 emergency services during a power outage, a backup battery solution may be a good option. Backup battery solutions generally provide either 8 hours or 24 hours of standby time. You may purchase a backup battery solution directly from a local retailer or inquire through SCI Fiber by calling 833.444.2504.

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.

For many years, your home phone would allow you to stay connected to emergency voice services during a power outage. However, many of today’s advanced home phone services require backup battery power to continue functioning during a power outage. To minimize disruption of home voice service during a power outage and to maintain the ability to connect to 911 emergency services, SCI Fiber has information and options for purchasing a backup power solution for your home phone line.