Battery Backup Service
The FCC adopted an order requiring communication providers such as WCTA to offer backup power options to customers served by fiber optic facilities so that those facilities may continue to work in the event of a power outage.
Unlike traditional copper phone service, fiber optic service is not “line powered” and requires a backup power supply to function in the event of a power outage. When a premise is converted to fiber optic service, WCTA also places a battery backup unit that, in the event of a power outage, will allow regular corded land-line phones to continue to work. Other services will be disabled to conserve power. The purpose of this is to keep emergency telephone service available for as long as possible. (Cordless phones will not work unless they are connected to a power source during the outage.)
What kind of service can I expect during a power outage? A new battery backup is expected to provide up to 8 hours of standby time, but diminishes over time. Factors such as battery age, environment, and usage play a role in the life expectancy of the battery.
What kind of storage and maintenance requirements are there? The battery backup should be kept indoors in a dry, temperature-controlled place (between 32°F-104°F). To test the battery backup, unplug it from the power outlet. If the battery is functioning, the fiber equipment will remain powered and regular corded land line phones will continue to work in the house. After testing, plug the unit back in so it charges back up and restores other services.
Battery backup units will display a battery light when the battery needs replacement. Refer to the user manual for the CyberPower UPS for additional details on battery replacement and a description of the unit’s indicator lights.
CyberPower battery backup units also include a Cold Start button. This means that if the battery has run all the way down and the fiber service has shut off, pressing this button will activate reserve power to make an emergency call. It will take several minutes for the fiber equipment to boot up to be able to make the call.
What options do I have? Users have several options to extend service during an extended power outage.
- Users may subscribe to WCTA’s Battery Backup Service with a monthly cost of $9.95 and a one-time fee of $50. With this service, WCTA will provide and monitor a backup power supply that will provide at least eight hours of standby time in the event of a power outage (note that ‘standby’ time may be different than ‘talk time’).
- Users may purchase a second battery from WCTA for the one-time cost of $100. The customer will be responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of the battery.
- Users may purchase a second battery from a third party. The battery is a 12Vdc/7.2AH sealed lead-acid battery and measures 5 7/8” long, 2 ½” wide and 3 5/8” tall.
- Users may, at their option, unplug the Optical Network Terminal from the battery backup until it is needed, which will ensure that the battery will last longer. In order to use the phone, plug the Optical Network Terminal back into the battery backup and wait a few minutes for it to boot up.
Please contact WCTA’s business office at 1-800-592-6105 with any questions.