(Sacramento, CA) — California regulators are requiring major phone companies to provide battery backup power for their wired systems during public safety power outages. The Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously yesterday to force AT&T, Comcast and other landline operators to ensure the phones stay on for at least 72-hours. The companies have long argued it would be too expensive and ineffective. The order gives the companies eight months to install backup power on towers serving hospitals, police and fire stations and a year-and-a-half to residences and businesses. It only applies to high fire danger areas most prone to the planned outages and most likely to have unreliable cell service.
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