Scott McClure:
1) With all the recent list discussion of the removal of the POTS copper lines during a FIOS installation, what is the make-up of the lines that run along the poles after the work that I am seeing performed?
Verizon tends to leave the copper lines in place unless of course an entire neighborhood switched to fiber, thus the optical lines for FIOS add to what is on your poles.
2) Does the old copper remain on the poles to provide service to homes along the way that aren't switched to FIOS?
Once again, yes, Verizon only removes the feed from the old copper landline connection point to the house or residence. If you have two or more phone lines and only one is switched to fiber, the other line(s) presently remain hooked up to the copper landlines and the battery chain which provides the 48 volts or so. Personally I'ld suggest anyone worried about losing connectivity after the UPS for FIOS runs out, get or keep a 2nd line with as minimum a service as possible (look up lifesaver line on Verizon's website for an idea of what I mean). Calls made to that number are free and it leaves one with a backup as long as the phone lines work if you have a corded phone that doesn't require batteries.
All of this being said, I suspect that folks could set up alternate charging arrangements for the battery used by the UPS Verizon provides or alternatively, replacing the UPS with one of your own. Solar charging of the battery comes to mind as one example.
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