By Islam El-Sakka
UK plans to switch off the traditional copper-wire landline network by the end of January next year could leave remote communities unable to contact emergency services during power cuts, MPs have warned.
Power cut vulnerability
The move to internet-based digital landlines relies on mains electricity, unlike the current network which continues to operate during outages. Labour MP Torcuil Crichton, representing the Western Isles, said battery backup packs provided to vulnerable customers are inadequate and mobile signals often fail during storms.
Rural concerns amplified
Similar warnings came from MPs representing the West Country and the Lake District. Labour MP Markus Campbell-Savours described a scenario where an elderly resident in an isolated valley could lose all communication during a storm, with no way to raise an alarm.
Cyber resilience questioned
Conservative MP Julian Lewis highlighted the lack of a backup system if digital services fail due to cyber attacks, noting the copper network had provided useful resilience in emergencies.
Minister responds
Security minister Dan Jarvis, who leads the government's Be Ready emergency preparedness campaign, said he would examine the concerns closely and raise them at a resilience summit in Cornwall next month. He also pledged to discuss telecoms firms' obligations with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Government rationale
The government argues the analogue network is becoming increasingly unreliable and that digital signals will be sent over existing copper wires where fibre connections have not yet been installed. Vulnerable customers, such as telecare users, are entitled to free backup battery units from their providers.
