NTCA critical of additional backup power mandate on rural telcos

NTCA, an industry forum focused on rural telecommunication companies, says that the Federal Communications Commission should not place larger mandates on service providers, because the fact that many consumers shift to using cell phones during power outages shows that they don't see standby power for voice service a priority.

According to FCC figures, 41 percent of American consumers have "cut the cord" and rely on a mobile phone to get their voice service. At the same time, the majority of homes that still have a landline voice service use cordless phones, with few users expressing an interest in having backup power. "There is little indication in the record that those American consumers that continue to subscribe to a wireline voice service have a desire for backup power," wrote the NTCA in an FCC filing. "As several nationwide and cable voice providers have stated, only a small percentage of consumers choose to purchase a backup power battery when offered to them."