Federal Communications Commission	"FCC/DA  XX-XXX"


DA 18-1205
Released:  November 27, 2018

PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU REMINDS
PROVIDERS OF FACILITIES-BASED FIXED RESIDENTIAL VOICE SERVICES THAT ARE NOT LINE-POWERED OF UPCOMING REQUIREMENT TO OFFER SUBSCRIBERS 
24 HOURS OF BACKUP POWER FOR CUSTOMER PREMISES EQUIPMENT
Requirement Takes Effect on February 13, 2019
PS Docket No. 14-174
By this Public Notice, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) reminds providers of facilities-based fixed residential voice services that are not line-powered (fixed service providers) that, as of February 13, 2019, they must offer for sale to subscribers “at least one option that provides a minimum of twenty-four hours of standby backup power” for customer premises equipment. 47 CFR §12.5(b)(2).  

The Commission’s Backup Power Order, adopted in 2015, required fixed service providers to offer subscribers at least one option with 8 hours of standby backup power. Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications, Report and Order, 30 FCC Rcd 8677 (2015) (Backup Power Order); 47 CFR § 12.5(b)(1).    
  The order also required fixed service providers to add a 24-hour option after three years. Backup Power Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 8687, para. 31.  
  This requirement takes effect on February 13, 2019. The backup power rules became effective 120 days after publication in the Federal Register, and the 24-hour requirement takes effect three years thereafter.  The rules were published in the Federal Register on October 16, 2015.  Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications, Report and Order, 80 Fed. Reg. 62470 (October 16, 2015).  
 
We also remind fixed service providers that to promote consumer education and choice, the Commission’s rules require them to disclose the following information to subscribers at the point of sale and annually thereafter:  (a) availability of backup power sources; (b) service limitations with and without backup power during a power outage; (c) purchase and replacement options; (d) expected backup power duration; (e) proper usage and storage conditions for the backup power source; (f) subscriber backup power self-testing and monitoring instructions; and (g) backup power warranty details, if a warranty is offered. 47 CFR §12.5(d).
  
For Further Information Contact:
Linda M. Pintro, Policy and Licensing Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at 202-418-7490 or linda.pintro@fcc.gov.
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