Isles representatives welcome delay to copper wire network shutdown

Northern Isles representatives, Alistair Carmichael MP, Beatrice Wishart MSP and Liam McArthur MSP have today welcomed news that BT will significantly delayed plans to force customers to switch from physical copper-based landlines to internet-based services, following concerns from vulnerable people. 

The switch was paused at the end of last year after several incidents where telecare devices stopped working. Nearly two million people in the UK use personal alarms which rely on landlines. BT, which is also responsible for EE customers, will now aim to complete the switchover by the end of January 2027.

The isles representatives warned that the additional time must be used to ensure that there will be no detriment in safety and resilience for vulnerable customers who rely on a connection for alarm systems and other health devices. The switchover has been highly controversial because it will mean a power outage could cause landline phones to no longer work.

BT has said that it will protect vulnerable customers and plans to provide “resilient solutions” to those who are dependent on their landline, including providing free battery back-up units and offering hybrid phones which can use both broadband and mobile networks.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael said:

“The agreement to postpone the transition to Digital Voice is a welcome concession from BT, though the devil will be in the detail. There is no point in a postponement of the switchover if the concerns raised by constituents about reliability and safety under the new system are not addressed.

“Updating and improving digital infrastructure is a welcome thing. Lifeline connectivity that is at risk of going down when there is poor weather or unexpected disruption, however, is not exactly a lifeline. Recent storms have reinforced the risks of an over-reliance on wireless infrastructure without fail safes.

“Households with vulnerable family members need a guarantee from BT and other suppliers that there will be no detriment to their connections and their safety when the changeover does occur. That is the least we ought to expect.”

Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart said:

“I welcome the pause of the Digital Voice scheme which gave rise to concerns that households in Shetland will be left without the ability to communicate particularly in times of disruption and emergency.

“The plans had not considered the impact of Digital Voice on island and rural communities where connectivity coverage is lacking.  Reliable communication needs reliable infrastructure.

“Upgrades to telephone landlines must be as dependable as they traditionally have been. We cannot find ourselves in a situation where Shetland is less connected than 100 years ago.”

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said:

“I certainly welcome this much-needed pause from BT on switching off the analogue ‘copper wire’ landline network for its customers, in light widespread concern about the impact of this switch for people in rural and island areas – particularly vulnerable groups.

“BT must now explain what it intends to do with this extra time, including how it will guarantee access to lifeline landline services in rural communities such as Orkney, where mobile signal can be inconsistent and the removal of the analogue landline network risks leaving people ‘cut off’ in the event of extended power outages.

“I’ve been grateful for BT’s engagement on this issue to date, but there is clearly much work to be done to convince islanders that this move meets their needs and serves their interests. There will be an opportunity for BT to try to answer some of the many outstanding questions at the next Orkney Digital Forum, being held in Kirkwall and online on 31 May.”