Battery Backup
How and why you should protect your home phone service during a power outage.
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, many of today’s advanced home voice services require backup battery power to continue functioning during an outage. To avoid a disruption during an outage — and to maintain the ability to connect to 911 emergency services — we at GTel offer you an option of purchasing or leasing backup power for your home voice service.
If you have questions or concerns about your backup battery, please contact us at 518-537-4835.
GTel’s backup battery for your Optical Network Terminal (ONT) allows you to continue to use your home voice services during a power outage for a minimum of 8 hours, based on the condition and use of your battery. Without a backup battery or alternate backup source such as a generator, you will not be able to make any calls, including emergency calls to 911. Our backup battery does not provide power to any services other than voice. Cordless phones, home security systems, medical monitoring devices and other equipment may not work and are not powered by our provided backup battery.
Purchase and Replacement Options
If you are concerned about being able to contact 911 emergency services during a power outage, a backup battery may be a good option for you. You can lease a backup battery unit and stackable 8-hour battery packs directly through GTel for $3.00 per month per 8-hour pack. You also have the option to purchase the unit from us or purchase your own from an outside vendor.
If you purchase a battery unit from GTel, GTel covers the replacement of the battery at no cost in the event it stops working within 90 days of installation. After the initial 90-day period, battery replacement will become the responsibility of the customer. GTel does not warranty equipment that is not purchased directly from GTel.
If your battery must be replaced, you can chose to pick up a new battery at our office and return the old battery for recycling. If you opt to have our technicians assist with the replacement, they will take the bad battery at the time of replacement and have it recycled for you.
More information about the units that GTel provides is available HERE.
During a power outage, backup batteries are expected to last at least 8 hours on standby power, but that time will vary based on use of the battery during the outage. If you feel that this is not enough time, you may extend your standby power by purchasing additional 8-hour battery packs.
*GTel does not guarantee uninterrupted telephone services, even to customers that have functional backup batteries or other power supplies. In some instances, such as during an extreme weather event, GTel’s network may experience issues that would prevent normal operation of your services. If you have any issues with your GTel Telephone service, contact us during regular business hours or call our Technical Support Team at 1-866-480-TECH.
You are responsible for obtaining, monitoring, replacing and properly disposing of all batteries for your backup unit. GTel recommends that you check the batteries and unit at least twice a year to ensure it is operating and ready for use during a power outage.
Environmental factors such as temperature can shorten your backup battery’s useful life. We recommend that your backup battery be installed in an area where the temperature stays between 55°F and 100°F. The units can sit on a desktop or can be mounted on the wall. Our Technicians will recommend placement at the time of installation and instruct you on basic use and care of your unit. Failure to maintain your batteries and unit may result in loss of voice service during a power outage, including a loss of access to Emergency 911 and other services.
The batteries are rechargeable, and as long as the backup battery is plugged into a power outlet, they will stay charged. Like any battery, they will not last forever, and GTel will be alerted by your ONT if the battery needs replacement.
For complete use and care instructions, refer to the User Guide by clicking HERE.