DLPS Battery Backup Policy

If you started your service before July 15, 2026, click here for the Backup Power information that applies to your account.

Effective July 16, 2026

GCI cares about your safety and wants you to understand how your phone service will work in the event of a power outage, if you subscribe to a plan that includes a battery backup.

Click here to jump to Important Safety and Usage Information

Service Limitations

All phone service depends on electricity. If an electrical outage affects your location, your GCI phone service will not work—even to call 911—unless you have a source of backup power. That’s why GCI offers a phone service plan that comes with a battery that is designed to provide at least 8 hours of backup power for your GCI-provided phone service equipment in the event of a commercial power outage. Your battery backup phone service will switch to battery power automatically if the GCI-provided phone service equipment is unplugged from the wall outlet or in the event of a power outage.

However, not all phones will work during a power outage. You must have a phone that does not need to be plugged into an electrical outlet in order for it to work during a power outage. Typically, these phones are simple devices with few or no features beyond placing and receiving calls. Cordless phones, for example, generally will not work during a power outage because the base station that communicates with the handset relies on power from the wall outlet. You must not plug a phone or any other equipment into your GCI-provided phone service backup battery.

The backup power for your phone service will allow you to make and receive voice calls but will not power other services or devices. Other services and devices including but not limited to security systems and medical monitoring devices will not be powered by the backup power source, and therefore, will not be functional during a power outage unless you have an independent source of backup power.

Backup Power

The battery included with GCI’s battery-backup phone service is will provide at least 8 hours of backup power in the event of a commercial power outage. You should leave the unit plugged into a wall outlet so the battery remains fully charged and ready to power the GCI-provided phone service equipment in the event of a power outage.

Talk time drains the battery faster than standby mode, so whenever possible you should minimize the amount of time you talk on the phone during a power outage to lengthen the overall amount of time that the phone service will operate.

Replacement Information

We keep records on how old your battery is and will provide you with a replacement free of charge when it is time to replace your battery.

Important Safety & Usage Information

You must follow all instructions and safety information provided by the battery manufacturer, EcoFlow, at the following website, or elsewhere as specified by EcoFlow: https://manuals.ecoflow.com/product/river-3

You are responsible for using and caring for the battery safely and as intended. GCI is not responsible for damage, injury, or service issues caused by misuse of the battery or failure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which include but are not limited to the following:

• Do not use the product near a heat source, such as a fire source or a heating furnace.
• Do not get the product wet or immerse it in any liquid.
• Follow the environment temperature requirements specified in the product specification to use or store the product:
  • Operating Temperature: 68°F-86°F
  • Storage Temperature: 14°F-113°F (optimal: 68°F-86°F)
• Keep the product out of reach of children and pets. If the product is to be used near children, they should be closely supervised.
• Keep the product away from fumes, smoke, steam, and dust.
• Store the product in a tidy, dry, and well-ventilated place.
• Do not block or hinder the heat dissipation system of the product during operation.
• Do not stack any heavy objects on the product.
• Place the product on a stable and flat surface. Avoid damage to the device or personal injury due to the product falling or tipping over.

Some features of the battery may require software, mobile apps, or online services provided by the battery manufacturer, EcoFlow. Your use of those tools is optional and at your own risk—these features are not part of the service provided by GCI. Any use of these features is governed by the terms & conditions provided by EcoFlow. By using them, you agree to comply with those terms. We are not responsible for the operation or performance of any third-party software, apps, or services.

Customer Responsibilities

As a customer, you are responsible for ensuring that you have properly maintained your backup power in the event of a power outage. GCI will not be responsible for your phone service not working during a power outage. You should, at minimum, take these steps:

• Ensure that any backup power source is not modified from the way it was installed by GCI technicians.
• Properly store your backup power source, not subject it to rough handling or excessive temperatures or otherwise subject it to abuse.
• Use backup power sources judiciously during a power outage, remaining aware of factors that may shorten the lifespan of the backup source.
• If your GCI phone service is terminated for any reason, you are responsible for returning the battery to a GCI retail store. GCI is not responsible for any customer’s or former customer’s use, storage, or disposal of the battery after GCI phone service is terminated.

If you have additional questions about backup power, you may contact GCI customer service at 1-800-800-4800.