FCC Releases Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Declaratory Ruling (NPRM) to Ensure Reliable Backup Power


The FCC seeks comment on multiple issues, including ensuring reliable backup power for consumers of IP-based voice and data services.

On November 25, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Declaratory Ruling (NPRM) that, among other things, seeks comments regarding customer premises equipment’s (CPE’s) backup power requirements. As the network evolves from circuit-switched voice services that run on powered copper lines to all–Internet Protocol (IP) networks that run largely on unpowered lines, the FCC is seeking to ensure that there is reliable backup power for consumers of IP-based voice and data services during power outages, such as those caused by extreme weather events.

The FCC seeks comment on multiple issues, as outlined briefly here:

Comment Date: Comments are due 30 days after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register (which has not yet occurred).

Reply Comment Date: Replies are due 60 days after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register.


Copyright © 2025 by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. All Rights Reserved.
National Law Review, Volume IV, Number 351