Version: 041019
Backup Power for Home Phone Services During Power Outages
Some of our voice services may need a backup battery to avoid disruption of service, and to
maintain the ability to call 911, during a power outage. This notice provides information on
battery backup requirements and options for obtaining backup batteries.
Which services need a backup battery?
Voice services provided over our fiber optic or fixed
wireless networks need a backup battery to operate during a power outage.
Voice services provided over our copper network are line-powered, so they do
not
require a
backup battery to operate during a power outage.
Our fiber-to-the-home service uses Optical Network Terminals, or ONTs. Fiber customers with
an indoor ONT will need a separate backup battery pack to power the ONT during a power
outage.
Some customers’ ONTs are installed on the outside of their home. Outdoor ONTs come
with a backup battery pack installed, so fiber customers with an outdoor ONT do not need to
buy a separate backup battery.
Our fixed wireless service uses Residential Gateways, or RGs and voice services may be
delivered using the RG. Fixed wireless customers will need a separate backup battery pack to
power the RG during a power outage.
What if I don’t have a backup battery?
For customers on our fiber network with an indoor
ONT, and customers on our fixed wireless network who also purchase voice products, the
service will not work when your home electricity is out. You would not be able to receive or
make calls from your home phone, including calls to 911, unless you have a backup battery
pack installed in your ONT or RG.
How do I get a backup battery?
You may buy or lease a backup battery pack from us or buy
one from a third party.
What are my options for buying or leasing a backup battery?
If you want a backup battery
pack for your home phone service, you have the option of buying or leasing one from us or
buying one from a third party.
To buy or lease one from us: Call us at 918-865-3311 or 800-722-3979 or visit our office
to talk to a customer service representative.
o
Cost.
The costs to purchase or lease are listed below.
o
Delivery.
If you want to install the backup solution yourself, we can ship the battery
pack to you, or you may pick it up from us. If you would like our help installing the
battery, we can bring it to your home for installation.
o
Warranty.
The manufacturer’s warranty information, if any, should be in the
documentation included with the battery.
To buy one from a third party: You may buy a battery pack from an electronics retail
store or an online retailer. You must buy the correct battery pack model to ensure proper
function. See below for battery pack models.
