Can I use my Openreach box during a power cut instead of my Sky router to make calls?

[MrChew]

Hi guys. I have a working DECT phone that works when plugged into my new Sky router. During the power cuts recently I was not able to plug the same phone into the Openreach spur in the kitchen as I was previously able to do, and make emergency phone line-powered calls. Is this now the norm or do I need to do something? putting the post into context, I am rural with no mobile signal in power it's due to just one grid-connected local mobile mast. TIA

[Mark39]

Yes, that's normal I'm afraid. Your copper phone lines and extension sockets don't work with Sky Internet calls. The only connection is via the socket at the back of your Hub.

[TimmyBGood]

@MrChew 

Power coming down a phone line from an exchange generator or battery store is ceasing to be a thing: it's physically impossible to put this through fibre-optic cable, and over copper it cannot supply enough current to light up a broadband router.

A resilient phone service now requires the user to have their own battery store capable of powering handset, router and ONT if it's an optical circuit.