Learn about battery backups

Use a battery backup system to keep your phone working during a power outage. That way, you can still call 911 and maintain home alarms or medical alert services for short periods of time.

Keep in mind:

• Each piece of equipment used to provide voice service to your home has to have its own battery backup. You may need backups for:
  • Wi-Fi^® gateways or modems
  • Optical network terminal (ONT) devices
• Many cordless phones require power to make calls. Test yours before an outage to see if you’ll need a battery backup.
• During a power outage, limit your use to emergency calls only. How long your backup will last depends on your equipment and how long you talk on the phone. Other AT&T services (such as U-verse^® TV or AT&T Internet) may quickly drain your stored power.
• Live in an apartment, condo, townhouse, or duplex? Your battery backup may be stored in an equipment room. If it is, contact your landlord or property management. Get more important info about backing up your equipment
  

Equipment details for 24-hour backup

We offer a 24-hour battery backup option, but you have other options. You can buy a backup option that lasts for less time. For example:

• A single APC Cube can power most Wi-Fi gateways 8 hours or more.
• A single battery backup unit on outdoor fiber ONT (Optical Network Terminator) can last 8 hours or more.

Heads up: Can’t be without power due to medical or safety reasons? We suggest you choose an option that offers up to 24 hours of backup time.

Maintaining your battery backup

D-cell batteries
Find out how to check and replace D-cell batteries and more. Download the battery backup guide for digital home phone services with AT&T Fiber (indoor) (PDF, 1.4MB)

APC rechargeable battery units
Get info on how to check, replace, and recharge your APC batteries. Download the battery backup guide for digital phone or G.Fast services (PDF, 1009KB)

The right battery backup for you depends on the type of phone service you have. Review the options to identify your service and equipment type. Not sure what you have? Call us at 800.650.0954 for more help.

Good to know: Before you install a battery backup, make sure you unplug your Wi-Fi gateway. Keep it unplugged while you connect your backup power supply. During this time, your AT&T Internet, Phone, and U-verse TV service will be interrupted. (This includes any scheduled recordings.)

Digital phone service without AT&T Fiber

Equipment type used: Wi-Fi gateway in your home (yours may look different)

What to buy:

• 3 APC CP12142LI battery backup units to back up your Wi-Fi gateway
• 2 battery backup power supplies to charge your second and third battery backup units

Setup guide: Battery backup for digital phone or G.Fast services (PDF, 1009KB)

Cost for 24-hour backup: Around $400

Traditional home phone service with AT&T Fiber

Equipment types used: ONT outside your home and a power supply inside your home.

How to get backup:

1. Call us at 800.650.0954 to find out which kit to get. Tip: Write down the call-back number we give you for faster service.
2. Buy the backup kit we identified for your ONT:
   • 1 D-cell battery backup kit (requires 12 D-cell batteries, not included). Once you get the kit, call the toll-free number we gave you to schedule a tech install (charges will apply). The tech will upgrade your battery backup.
   • 1 GT12080-HG extended power kit from GS Battery. Be sure to check out the installation instructions inside the kit.

Setup guide: Battery backup for traditional home phone services (PDF, 966KB)
Cost for 24-hour backup: About $200
Good to know: Have multiple phones lines? You may have more than 1 type of phone service to back up. See Digital home phone service with AT&T Fiber to find out how to back up both services.

Digital home phone service with AT&T Fiber and an indoor ONT

Equipment types used: Nokia ONT 010 or 020 inside your home, Wi-Fi gateway (yours may look different)

What to buy:

• 3 APC CP12142LI battery backup units to back up your Wi-Fi gateway
• 2 battery backup power supplies to charge your second and third battery backup units
• 1 D-cell battery backup kit to power your ONT (requires 12 D-cell batteries, not included)

Setup guide: Battery backup for digital home phone services with AT&T Fiber (indoor) (PDF, 1.4MB)

Cost for 24-hour backup: Around $475 (including D-cell battery backup kit for $79.99)

Digital home phone service with AT&T Fiber and an outdoor ONT

Equipment types used: ONT outside your house, power supply inside your house, and Wi-Fi gateway. In addition to this equipment, you have an AT&T Phone, AT&T Internet, or U-verse TV account.

How to get 24-hour battery backup:

1. Call us at 800.650.0954 to find out which kit to get. Tip: Write down the call-back number we gave you for faster service.
2. Buy the kit we identified was right solution for you to power your ONT.
   • 1 D-cell battery backup kit (requires 12 D-cell batteries, not included). Once you get the kit, call the toll-free number we gave you to schedule a tech install (charges will apply.) The tech will upgrade your battery backup.
   • 1 GT12080-HG extended power kit from GS Battery. Want to install it? Refer to the installation instructions inside the kit.
3. Buy other equipment. 
   • 3 APC CP12142LI battery backup units to power your Wi-Fi gateway.
   • 2 battery backup power supplies to charge your second and third battery backup units.
4. Set up your power supply for the Wi-Fi gateway.

Setup guide: Battery backup for digital home phone services with AT&T Fiber (outdoor) (PDF, 1.2MB)
Cost for 24-hour backup: About $575

Multi-dwelling unit with G.Fast service

Equipment types used: BGW210 Wi-Fi gateway and an Arris modem. Your battery backup will power both if the modem is powered by a USB connection from the gateway.

What to buy:

• 3 APC CP12142LI battery backup units to back up your Wi-Fi gateway.
• 2 battery backup power supplies to charge your second and third battery backup units.

Setup guide: Battery backup for digital phone or G.Fast services (PDF, 1009KB)
Cost for 24-hour backup: Around $400

Intelligent Network Interface Device (iNID) transport service

Equipment type used: iNID gateway and separate power unit

How to get battery backup: The iNID service only supports 4-hour battery backup service. If you want 24-hour battery backup, call us at 800.650.0954 and request a tech to upgrade your AT&T iNID with a replacement service. Then, come back and find the right solution for your upgraded service.

Cost for 24-hour backup: Varies