FCC Consumer Advisory Committee
Recommendation Regarding Battery Backup Community Outreach and Education
WHEREAS, the Commission has recognized that “consumers are increasingly relying on new 
types of service for residential voice communications, and that in many areas traditional line-
powered 911 service is now, or is soon likely to be, no longer be available.”
1
WHEREAS, data cited by the Commission indicate that almost 75 percent of U.S. residential 
customers (approximately 88 million households) no longer receive telephone service over 
traditional copper facilities, including 30 percent of all residential customers that have IP-based 
voice services from cable, fiber, and other providers, and over 40 percent of households that are 
“wireless-only.”
2
WHEREAS, while voice service over traditional copper facilities is line-powered and functional 
during commercial power outages, many consumers might be unaware that the new voice
services they are transitioning to do not have the same capabilities and require the special 
provisioning of backup power in the event of a commercial power outage.
WHEREAS, consumers’ ability to reach public safety answering points (PSAPs) and emergency 
services such as 911 is jeopardized without functional voice or mobile wireless service.
WHEREAS, the Commission has recognized that technology transitions should not “diminish 
access to critical communications services, especially 911.”
3
WHEREAS, the Commission has required wireline carriers to disclose to subscribers the: (1) 
availability of backup power sources; (2) service limitations with and without backup power 
during a power outage; (3) purchase and replacement options; (4) expected backup power 
duration; (5) proper usage and storage conditions for the backup power source; (6) subscriber 
backup power self-testing and monitoring instructions; and (7) backup power warranty details, if 
any.
4
WHEREAS, the Commission has further encouraged, but not required, wireline providers to 
engage in comprehensive community outreach and education regarding the availability of 
backup power in commercial power outage events.
5
                                                          
1
Federal Communications Commission In the Matter of Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications, 
Report and Order, FCC 15-98, PS Docket No. 14- 174 ¶ 12 (rel. Aug. 7, 2015). Notice was published in the Federal 
Register on October 16, 2015. 80 F.R. 62470.
2
Federal Communications Commission, In the Matter of Technology Transitions, Report and Order, WC 
Docket No. 05-25 et al., ¶9, rel. Aug. 7, 2015.
3
Federal Communications Commission, In the Matter of Ensuring Continuity of 911 Communications, 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 15-98, PS Docket No. 14-174, ¶ 43 (rel. Nov. 25, 2014).
4
Id., ¶ 60.
5
Id., ¶¶78-82.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) recommends 
the FCC work closely with wireless and wireline carriers and other service providers (including 
VoIP), state regulatory commissions, PSAPs, state, local, and tribal governments, consumer 
advocacy and community based organizations (“CBOs”), and social service agencies to develop
best practices and comprehensive initiatives that will educate consumers about backup power 
and recharging capabilities and options for switched fiber, IP-based, and wireless voice services
as applicable.  Education initiatives should be specifically tailored to the special needs of 
consumers, including diverse populations and those who are disabled, elderly and low-income.
Following the release of this recommendation, at six-month intervals, the Consumer and 
Government Affairs Bureau should provide the CAC with updates regarding the development, 
publication, and targeted outreach for consumer education best practices to empower consumers 
to address backup power and recharging capacities for fiber, IP-based, and wireless voice 
services.  
Unanimously Adopted: June 10, 2016
Respectfully Submitted:
Debra R. Berlyn, Chairperson
FCC Consumer Advisory Committee