This topic

Requesting Battery Backup

quarkrad — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 17:44:02 GMT

I am in contact with my MP about the Digital Voice change over and advice from BT to ring 999 in the event of me needing non medical help. This solution was offered by BT Customer Services in the scenario that I have a power cut (these are not infrequent as I live in a rural area) and have no phone service. I also have no mobile signal so the backup plan in not applicable. My MP has asked if BT has offered a battery backup but so far this has not been offered as an option and I have not been able to decipher how to request such a device from the website. Can anybody help point me in the right direction to request such equipment? Any advice appreciated.

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

NigelB72 — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 18:37:28 GMT

If you are a vulnerable customer, BT will provide a battery backup system. If you don't meet the agreed requirements to be classed as vulnerable, you can buy a battery backup system (UPS) for under £100

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

quarkrad — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:01:52 GMT

Thank you - who do I need to speak to/email to take this forward (i.e. find out/meet the vulnerable requirements)?

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

garybs29 — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:06:02 GMT

Does your mobile not say emergency calls only if you have no signal as well? It should work too of course

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

licquorice — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:20:17 GMT

@quarkrad wrote:
Thank you - who do I need to speak to/email to take this forward (i.e. find out/meet the vulnerable requirements)?

Customer services 150

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

quarkrad — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 09:34:44 GMT

Yes I do have the emergency feature. The issue is my wife is disabled and at times I cannot get from the car to home. At these times I need a neighbour to help me physically get my wife to home. I questioned BTs response to ring 999 as this is not a medical emergency, I just need help, but they insisted 999 was the full back plan when there is a power cut. My MP agrees this is not a suitable plan. So when I need to be with my wife I can call for help if a battery backup keeps the router active (I can call for help via my wifi calling because I have no mobile signal). This is a more realistic plan than ring 999 for non medical help in our current environment.

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

quarkrad — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 09:53:16 GMT

There seems always to be a 20 minute wait for 150 - is it possible to email BT for this request?

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

DavidM — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 10:24:14 GMT

Hi @quarkrad and welcome back.

Thanks for posting about the battery back up. With the roll out of fibre I'm sure this will become a more common question. I'll take a look at this for you if you wish. I'll send you a private message now so you can get in touch.

Cheers

David

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

quarkrad — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 20:43:20 GMT

DavidM There was no Reply button on your private message - so I sent you a new message with me details. Did you receive it? Thank you.

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

licquorice — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 20:47:58 GMT

Did you actually open the message by clicking on the title or did you just look at the preview?

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

quarkrad — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 07:39:25 GMT

Thank you - now sent. I only looked at the preview. All these forums are different - in other forums Reply button is always viable. Thank you for your help.

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

PoyningsPerson — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:01:36 GMT

I have just spent 40 minutes on the phone to customer services to request a battery backup unit. He was very helpful and tried his best but he had no idea what a battery backup unit was. After coming up with several ideas to try and help I gave up. My husband has had five strokes and is disabled. I need continual access to a landline (mobile signal is rubbish where I live) to get help from people or contact the doctor/hospital. How do I get one of these units? We really can't afford to buy one and people I know have been given one free of charge because they have a family member who is disabled. Help Please!

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

NeilO — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:22:39 GMT

Hi @PoyningsPerson welcome to the community and thanks for posting, I'm sorry you've experienced difficulties getting a battery backup unit via the helpdesk. Are your husbands vulnerabilities recorded against your account? This can be done in MyBT and will help with meeting the criteria for the free backup battery.

I'll also send you a private message so you can get in touch with your details and we'll be happy to assist.

Thanks

Neil

Re: Requesting Battery Backup

Jillity — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 17:55:27 GMT

The trouble is they don't actually supply the battery backup. I asked until I was blue in the face but I never received mine. They just kept saying it was out of stock.