The paper is divided into two distinct parts. The first part deals with a look at the progress made to date in the VRLA battery technology that has established itself as the primary source of emergency standby power within the BT network. This will include a review of maintenance procedures and the specifying of such products for central office and local switching centres, and will be discussed alongside an appreciation of how telecommunications networks are changing. The second part includes an assessment of future technology developments and how these changes will increase demand upon suppliers of battery power for network and hand-held devices of the future. The paper will conclude with a light-hearted look at potential technological developments of the future that will revolutionise the way we communicate with each other and our environment.