FCC’s New Backup Power Rules Now in Effect

As JSI alerted clients August 13, 2015, the FCC adopted backup power requirements for facilities-based carriers which provide fixed residential voice service that is not line powered (Covered Providers). The FCC’s Report and Order is effective October 16, 2015, and certain other compliance dates are now established with last week’s publication of the Report and Order in the Federal Register.

Offer subscribers at the point of sale at least one option to purchase eight hours standby backup power:

• For Covered Providers with fewer than 100,000 retail subscriber lines – By August 11, 2016
• For Other Covered Providers – By February 16, 2016

Offer subscribers at the point of sale at least one option to purchase 24 hours standby backup power:

• All providers – By February 13, 2019

Backup power disclosures to new subscribers at the point of sale and annually to all subscribers:

• For Covered Providers with fewer than 100,000 retail subscriber lines – Effective 300 days after announcement of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approvals – pending at this time
• For Other Covered Providers – 120 days after pending OMB approvals.

These new requirements were among the topics covered in JSI’s recent webinar, On the Road to all IP: New Rules and New Requirements.  If you missed this webinar on new copper retirement and backup power requirements, a recording of the session is available for purchase. For information on the recording or to purchase a copy, please contact our Marketing Department, or by calling our Maryland office at 301-459-7590.

For more information or questions about the backup power requirements, contact Valerie Wimer at 301-459-7590.

Source: JSI e-Lert