So in your usual manner you throw out the fact that it has been confirmed by BT employees that there is backup power in the FTTC cabs.
It is most likely to be limited capacity to get round spikes, brownouts etc since the batteries act as big capacitors. VM have installed batteries in their cabs for years. I have kit outside with batteries in far more environmentally hostile situations than the FTTC cabs and provided they are maintained properly function without a hitch.
Dave