It is no surprise that traditional landlines are on the decline as smart phones and mobile phones provide numerous capabilities. However, some landline users are deciding to switch to IP-based solutions, or, in other words, from copper lines to fiber lines. Because of this, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants to make sure that these lines are still able to get a signal during a power outage.

Traditional landlines use copper-based phone networks which remain live during an outage because they carry their own power. The fiber lines used for IP voice solutions lacks this alternate power source, making these vulnerable during times of power outages or emergencies.

The FCC’s proposal, which will be voted on in August’s FCC meeting, would require phone providers to offer backup power for customers to buy as they transition away from copper lines. The backup power would not be offered free with home service as it would create an unfair incentive for people to stop purchasing landline services.

In the event that a customer chooses to switch to an IP-based home voice service, the phone provider would have to offer customers a chance to purchase eight hours of backup power for emergencies, which would increase to 24 hours in three years. Phone companies would have to warn customers about the potential limitations in the event of power outages, however, customers would not be required to purchase the backup power.

Carriers would still be able to make the transition from copper to fiber without approval, so long as service is not interrupted. FCC approval is only necessary when a copper network is retired without a sufficient replacement. Clarification of what a sufficient replacement would be, including 911 services, quality of service, reliability, coverage, and more is yet to be determined.

We will have to wait to see what comes of this proposal, but feel free to share your thoughts. Have you ditched your landline? Do you use IP voice services or are you strictly mobile these days? Connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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Tags: IP Phone, sip phone, voip phone, voip phones