Telephone modem battery backup
Why get a telephone modem back-up battery and what does it power?
Your Astound Broadband (Astound) telephone service is provided via the telephone modem we have installed at your location. This device needs electrical power to provide service. In the event of a power outage, your phone service, including access to 911, will not work, unless you have a working back-up battery installed in your modem.
Will having a working battery ensure I will have phone service?
In the case of a complete power loss, network outage, broadband Internet outages or congestion, disconnection of service or other conditions beyond the reasonable control of Astound, you may be unable to access 911 or your access to 911 may be delayed or impaired.
If you utilize cordless phones in your home, Astound advises you to keep a corded (landline) phone on hand. Corded phones, unlike cordless phones, don’t need a separate power source to operate and can function with a battery backup in your Astound Voice modem during a power outage.
Will the internal battery also back up my internet service?
If service is also being used with Astound’s High-Speed Internet (HSI) service, continued use of the HSI service during a power outage will decrease the battery backup life. Customers who wish to have back up power for both for their internet service and/or extended backup time for their telephone service may purchase from a third-party retailer, at their own cost, an external UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply). These systems are commonly available through electronics and office supply retailers, whose websites provide additional information on capacity and prices.
How to request a telephone modem back-up battery
Currently, Astound will provide an internal 8-HOUR back-up battery for Astound -supplied telephone modems at no charge, upon request from the customer (and will replace the 8-HOUR back-up battery without charge, upon request, as needed). Batteries may be obtained at the time your telephone modem is installed or by calling 1-800-427-8686. This policy may be subject to change at a future date, in which case you will be notified.
Verify the status of your battery
Once you receive the backup battery and have it installed in your modem, you can test the battery by unplugging your phone equipment — if the lights on the modem stay on, the battery is working.
Battery status indications:
- A solid light indicates the battery is in good condition and fully charged.
- A blinking light indicated your battery is charging. If the light continues to blink after 8 hours, your battery may be weak and may need to be replaced.
- No light on the modem device means your battery may be missing, depleted or not correctly installed. Check all the connections and if the light still does not show, contact customer service.
- If you are using your own external battery/UPS or equipment, please refer to the manual for that device to determine how to verify the battery.
How long will the battery power my phone service?
Astound-supplied batteries are rated to provide between 8 and up to 24 hours of standby time when new. Active use of the telephone line during an outage will reduce the amount of standby time provided by the battery. Standby time may also be reduced in cold temperature conditions and as the battery ages.
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