Backup Power for Home Phone Services during Power Outages:
For many years, your home phone would allow you to stay connected to emergency voice services during a power outage. However, if telephone service is provided using RTI fiber-to-the-home, it requires backup battery power to continue functioning during a power outage. To avoid a disruption of home voice service during an outage – and to maintain the ability to connect to 911 emergency services – RTI provides you with a battery for backup power for your fiber optic telephone service when service is installed, at no additional cost.
What your Battery Can – and Can’t – Do for You:
RTI’s backup batteries for telephone service allow you to use your home telephone service during a power outage for emergency purposes. Without a backup battery or alternate backup source such as a generator, customers will not be able to make any calls, including emergency calls to 911. The only way to maintain the ability to use your phone is by using some form of backup power.
RTI’s backup battery does not provide power to any services other than voice and is not intended for internet, WiFi, third party VoIP or other internet applications. Home security systems, medical monitoring devices and other equipment will not run on a home phone backup battery. Keep in mind cordless phones will not work during a power outage. Cordless phones require electricity. RTI recommends you keep a corded phone on hand as corded phones do not require electricity.
Expected Backup Power Duration:
The backup battery included with RTI voice service is expected to last up to eight (8) hours on standby power. Please use the phone sparingly and for emergency purposes only during a power outage or the standby-battery will drain quicker. If 8-hour standby-battery is not enough time, a 24-Hour CyberPower external battery pack is available for purchase; this battery will provide up to 24 hours of emergency standby power. **Please call for pricing for the CyberPower External 24-hour standby power battery.
Proper Care and Use of Your Backup Battery
Your backup battery is located next to the RTI Fiber Optic Network Terminal “ONT.” These batteries are rechargeable. However, they will not last forever and may need to be replaced. RTI has systems that monitor battery
life and will alert us when it is low. When we receive notification that your battery needs to be replaced, we will contact you to schedule a replacement. You will not need to access the battery. However, if you experience any problems with your RTI fiber optic voice service during a power outage of less than 8 hours, please notify RTI toll free (888) 366-7821.
Instructions for Proper Care and Use of Battery
Please follow detailed instructions for proper use, storage and care, included with the battery. This ensures the battery will function during a power outage. If the battery is not stored correctly, it may shorten its useful life. Environmental factors such as temperature may also shorten the battery’s useful life. It is recommended to store the battery between 41o F and 104oF. Batteries are rechargeable; however, the battery will not last forever and should be replaced every 3-4 years, or if device alarm sounds (beeping noises). This is an alarm for awareness that the battery is depleted and needs replaced. See instructions for purchase and replacement options. Periodically, it is recommended, as described in the instructions included with the battery, to remove and test the battery to verify both the operation/condition of the backup battery.
Additional Backup Power for Home Devices During Power Outages
As mentioned above, the battery backup provided by RTI allows phone service to work in the event of a power outage (approximately 8-hours). If you have a cordless phone, you will need to purchase a battery backup for the home phone. The typical cordless phone uses approximately 3 watts per hour. A suitable battery backup may be purchased through RTI or at many retailers both locally and online.
BACKUP BATTERY FOR HOME OR BUSINESS MAY BE MOIJNTED OUTSIDE OR INSIDE
The Battery backup power will be placed as close as possible to the power source next to the Optical Network Terminal (ONT).
Mounted Outside
- Weather-resistant
- Self-latching, hinged design
- Routing rings for safe slack storage
- Adapter Capacity
Mounted Inside
- Battery Backup
*Batteries are the customer’s responsibility. Replacement batteries: CyberPower Battery part # CSN27U12VNA2. You may request a service visit for a qualified technician to visit your site to replace the battery. Site visit and battery replacement charges apply.
For more information relating to the backup power for home phone service, please contact a customer service representative toll free at (888)366-7821.