Service can be connected to your home in one of four ways: copper wire (traditional, twisted pair), coaxial cable (traditional “cable”), fiber optic cable, or a hybrid of fiber optic and coaxial cables.

Regardless of the type of connection, power is needed to make calls. For traditional voice lines, power comes from the service provider. For other types of phone service, backup power can come from a battery backup at your home or from a generator within the providers’ network. Home-based batteries may be supplied by the provider and will be located either inside or outside your home. Home-based batteries located inside your home must be maintained by you. Home-based batteries last about four to eight hours. Additional battery backup in your home, such as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), may be supplied by you.

Provider backup power located within the network may not last during an extended power outage. With VoIP services that work over a providers’ own network, you may not have phone service during an extended power outage.

Keep in mind that if you’re using a cordless telephone that needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet, it will not work during a power outage.

Welcome to the “Connecting Your Home” website

An Overview of Emerging Communications Technologies

What’s in Your Home

What Connects Your Home

Telephone Technologies

Television/Video Technologies

Internet Technologies

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