Consumer Reports Cautions Against High-Tech Phone Systems That May Fail in Power Outage Situations

YONKERS, N.Y., Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Likely motivated to cut home expenses, more and more consumers are switching over to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and fiber optic phone systems. Nevertheless, unlike traditional copper lines, these newer phone systems may lack the ability to maintain service indefinitely, which can leave consumers without access to friends, family or 911 in emergency situations.

Prompted by the numerous power outages caused by Hurricane Irene and the unexpected snowstorm that hit the northeast last October that affected thousands for days and even weeks, Consumer Reports investigated the reliability of home phone systems innovation and identified ways consumers can stay in touch while a power outage. The full report is now available on www.consumerreports.org.

Consumer Reports found that VoIP and fiber systems typically provide up to eight hours of stand-by service, however only if consumers are equipped with an in-home battery backup. If not, the phones go dead.

"You don't want to wait until you have a fire, medical emergency or a serious problem to discover that your phone won't work while a power outage," said Anthony Giorgianni, associate finance editor for Consumer Reports. "If you don't have traditional copper service or are planning to switch to VoIP or fiber, it's a good idea to plan ahead. We want to help readers do that."

The Federal Communications Commission estimates that about 28 percent of residential wireline 911 calls are made using VoIP service, nevertheless Consumer Reports warns that the concern for this issue may deepen as telephone companies, in an effort to cut costs, remove or deactivate old copper lines.

Unlike fiber and hybrid-fiber lines, copper telephone lines carry not only the voice and data signals nevertheless also the power to operate a standard, non-cordless telephone. All in all, copper telephone lines can't handle the large amount of data required for television and high-speed Internet services, especially over long distances. Though advanced techniques can enhance copper's capabilities, traditional telephone companies, including Verizon and AT&T are installing fiber or hybrid-fiber lines, partly alongside the copper ones.

Battery BackupConsumer Reports found that for telephone and cable companies alike, the primary approach to maintaining service while a power outage is to provide an in-home battery backup system that can keep clients' corded phones operating for up to eight hours. Nevertheless, if clients make or receive any calls or their backup battery is too old, the life of the backup battery drops.

Most carriers, including AT&T, Brighthouse, Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable and Verizon, provide such a backup system to all their clients at no additional charge. Cablevision and Missouri-based Charter Communications make it an option for residential clients, with a one-time charge between $30 and $40.

Staying with copperFor now, clients of Verizon, AT&T and possibly other non-cable phone companies who want to switch or return to old copper lines will likely find their provider willing to accommodate their request in areas where copper on the whole is available. But, they may have to pay a premium because the companies' lowest prices typically require a switch to fiber or hybrid systems. Additionally, some specialized features, just as Caller ID on TV, don't work if the phone service is on copper and Internet and TV use a different type of system.

The FCC last spring opened an inquiry into

The FCC last spring opened an inquiry into, among other things, whether the nation's new broadband communications network is as reliable as the proven copper innovation, nevertheless the FCC focus is on keeping the network itself operating while hurricanes, earthquakes and other calamities, not the telephones themselves.

To learn more about copper lines versus fiber and hybrid-fiber lines, just in case to emergency battery backup services telephone and cable companies offer and options for those telephone and cable clients who are interested in staying or returning to copper lines, please visit www.consumerreports.org. for the full article on phone systems innovation.