Uverse internet only installation while keeping landline

[HairyReasoner]

Against my nagging better judgement, I agreed to switch my internet over to U-verse. However, I insisted we keep our traditional landline service because of its reliability during power outages. During the installation at the outside of our home, the technician easily got u-verse working, but had difficulty with reconnecting phone service. He indicated my landline was still a traditional POTS landline (it does not need to run from my new internet gateway), but it was being switched to a new circuit that was apparently open somewhere between my house and the Vrad.

When I asked whether this new circuit was as reliable as the old landline in a power outage, he indicated the phone line only "passed through" the Vrad. He also said something about a "battery backup."

Is anyone familiar with this installation? If power is lost for some period of time will I lose what should be my POTS landline when the Vrad battery runs out? Also, will Uverse stop working during a moderate or longer power outage even if I have a generator or battery backup running the gateway at my house?

My understanding is that the only way to switch my phone back to the old circuit is to cancel Uverse and go back to DSL (if they'll let me go back). If I'm stuck with a phone service that will go down in a power outage, I might as well switch to Ooma or some other VOIP since my reason for paying extra for the landline would be gone.

[redgarter437]

Against my nagging better judgement, I agreed to switch my internet over to U-verse. However, I insisted we keep our traditional landline service because of its reliability during power outages. During the installation at the outside of our home, the technician easily got u-verse working, but had difficulty with reconnecting phone service. He indicated my landline was still a traditional POTS landline (it does not need to run from my new internet gateway), but it was being switched to a new circuit that was apparently open somewhere between my house and the Vrad.

When I asked whether this new circuit was as reliable as the old landline in a power outage, he indicated the phone line only "passed through" the Vrad. He also said something about a "battery backup."

Is anyone familiar with this installation? If power is lost for some period of time will I lose what should be my POTS landline when the Vrad battery runs out? Also, will Uverse stop working during a moderate or longer power outage even if I have a generator or battery backup running the gateway at my house?

My understanding is that the only way to switch my phone back to the old circuit is to cancel Uverse and go back to DSL (if they'll let me go back). If I'm stuck with a phone service that will go down in a power outage, I might as well switch to Ooma or some other VOIP since my reason for paying extra for the landline would be gone.

I've had nothing but problems with my mom's Uverse / POTS installation. The reason we kept the POTS line was for an alarm system -- but we are now switching the alarm service to cellular and eliminating the POTS line altogether. There were (and still are) too many data collisions, mainly because the filters used at the interface box aren't quite up to snuff. We've had 3 service calls for this issue, without a satisfactory resolution... it's just time to get rid of the reliable technology.

If Uverse and POTS are coexisting, you're MUCH better off than we are.

As to the battery issue... I'm not 100% sure... but the Uverse VDSL will only work as long as the VRAD battery lasts at the node; if the POTS is run from the central office then I'm sure it'll last as long as the generators keep it going.

Good luck!