What your battery backup can — and can't — do for you.

LocalTel can offer you a battery backup for telephone service which will allow you to continue to use your home telephone service during a power outage. Without a battery backup or alternate backup source such as a generator, you will not be able to make any telephone calls, including emergency calls to 911. The only way to maintain the ability to use your telephone service is by using some form of backup power. The battery backup does not provide power to any services other than dial tone. Do not plug any additional devices into the battery backup purchased for your home telephone service. Home security systems, medical monitoring devices and other equipment will not run on a telephone service battery backup. If you are concerned about being able to contact 911 emergency services during a power outage, a battery backup may be a good option for you.

If you have any questions, or simply want to purchase a battery backup through us, please call 509-888-8888. Our 24 hour battery backup purchase price is $10,000.00 plus tax. If you do not feel comfortable installing your own battery backup, please call us to make an appointment and we will be happy to assist you. Please note that there will be a charge for this service. You can also purchase a battery backup through a local retailer or on-line.* Please contact us so we can determine which battery backup specifications will work at your current residence.**

Please follow the more detailed instructions included with your battery backup for the proper use, storage and care of your battery to ensure it will function as needed during a power outage.***

• * LocalTel will not support, nor be liable for, equipment/services not purchased from LocalTel Communications.
• ** A battery backup purchased for your current residence may not work at a different location.
• *** Battery backups and batteries will only provide the best quality of service when maintained as specified by the equipment manufacturer.

1. Battery backup power options offered by LocalTel.
   1. Chelan county PUD - There is a 24 hour option that will service all the ONT's (Optical Network Terminal) in Chelan county.
   2. Douglas county PUD - DCPUD has to order and install a battery backup at the pole. The monthly cost is $5.00. DCPUD will replace the battery every three years.
   3. Grant county PUD - 12VDC / 30W option
   4. LocalTel VOIP - Localtel's VOIP has a battery backup option for the customer.
2. Service limitations with and without backup power during a power outage.
   1. If the home loses power and there is a dial tone provided by the PUD, fiber and/or LocalTel VOIP, then the telephone service will not work.
   2. If you have a battery backup that you properly maintain and a regular corded phone (not wireless), then your telephone service will stay working for a period of time.
   3. A wireless telephone base will need to be plugged into the battery backup to work during a power outage. Remote units will not work during the outage.
3. Purchase and replacement options including cost.
   1. LocalTel offers a 24 hour battery backup option for $10,000.00 plus tax.
4. Expected backup power duration.
   1. Expected duration of a battery's life is 24 hours, as long as the battery backup and battery are maintained as suggested by the manufacturer.
5. Proper usage and storage conditions for the backup power source.
   1. This information is to be provided along with the battery backup option that is purchased.
   2. The battery will only last up to 24 hours if hte battery backup and battery are maintained as suggested by the manufacturer.
6. How the customer may extend the provision of backup power during longer, multi-day outages through devices such as solar chargers, car chargers or mobile charging stations; and to direct customers to sources of such equipment.
   1. Customers may purchase more than one battery and change them out.
   2. Solar option example: http://www.goalzero.com/emergency-pre.
   3. Car inverter / mobile charging station example: https://www.tripplite.com/products/inverter-buying-guide and http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/quick_search.php.
      
      LocalTel Communications does not suggest nor endorse any of the above companies, or the products they offer. These web site links are merely suggestions as required by the FCC so you may further educate yourself on alternative backup options.
7. Customer backup power self-testing and monitoring instructions.
   1. These instructions are to be provided with the battery backup that is purchased.
   2. Customers must keep VOIP equipment plugged into the battery backup.
   3. Customers must verify they will not plug additional equipment into the battery backup.
   4. Customers can unplug the battery backup at any time to verify the longevity of the dial tone. LocalTel suggests testing every six months.
8. Backup power warranty details, if any, are to be provided with the purchase of the battery backup. The customer will work directly with the manufacturer.

Publications:

• http://www.dwt.com/Back-Up-Battery-Obligations-Take-Effect-Feb-13-2016-12-14-2015/
• https://www.fcc.gov/document/ip-battery-backup
• https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-rules-help-americans-communicate-during-emergencies