Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Bowdon]

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2018/10/openreach-to-stop-providing-battery-backup-for-fttp-broadband.html

At present new installations of Openreach’s (BT) Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based UK ultrafast broadband ISP technology all come with a Battery Backup Unit (BBU) by default next to the Optical Network Unit (ONT), which helps users to maintain access to emergency services if they use VoIP. But this is about to stop.

The operator is currently in the process of deploying their 1000Mbps capable FTTP “full fibre” broadband network to cover 3 million UK homes and businesses by the end of 2020. After that they also have an ambition to extend the service’s coverage to a total of 10 million premises by around 2025.

Unlike traditional copper lines, which can be powered via the exchange, fibre optic lines cannot carry electricity and as such end-users need to supply power at their end (home or business) in order to help maintain the connection. Obviously this would become problematic in a power cut, particularly so for FTTP-only properties, and so Openreach and a few other providers have long included a BBU with their new installs.

The BBU simply consists of four replaceable 2000mAH-NiMH (1.2v) BYD rechargeable AA batteries (charged by the fibre unit) and it is the end-users responsibility to maintain these. The bad news, according to several ISPs that we’ve discussed it with, is that Openreach have said they will stop providing ONT BBU units as default in FTTP-only areas and then only on exceptional basis (exceptional may mean those at risk, who depend on their landline for voice).

At this stage no firm dates appear to have been set but Openreach are understood to be discussing the change with ISPs, albeit mostly related to their plans for the remaining stock of BBUs (these are designed for use alongside their Huawei based ONT). Apparently these may become available to ISPs early next year (possibly at a cost but this is undecided).

[Bowdon]

I can understand the liability argument in this decision. But I wonder why BT and other ISP's dont team up with some UPS companies to sell some kit that will power everything needed, including a plugin phone? With the amount of units the company would sell I can imagine the price could be relatively cheap compared to the usual price of UPS devices.

[Chrysalis]

can buy a £20 ups unit for this, non story really.

[j0hn]

can buy a £20 ups unit for this, non story really.

Care to share a link, that isn't some cheap Chinese made gadget or containing a lithium ion battery