The big switch-off part two
May 26, 2022Things are becoming a little
clearer and, given that there's so much misinformation floating
around, it's probably a good time for an update. Starting with
Openreach the infrastructure provider which will stop selling
products using the old copper lines when 75% of premises
connected to a particular exchange can get a fibre connection.
So far, they have announced 552 locations affected including the
two pilot areas (Salisbury & Mildenhall). The only 'stop
sell' notice in South Lakeland so far is Crosthwaite in 2023.
It's now down to individual communications providers (your ISP
if you have a broadband/phone package) to work with their
customers to implement the transition. For the vast majority of
us, this will simply mean plugging our single phone or DECT base
station into the broadband router rather than the wall socket.
However the Autumn storms have brought the issue of power back
up into sharper focus. With the old copper system (assuming the
line itself wasn't damaged) power to the phone socket would keep
a single phone going - although the DECT system would fail. We
had the additional problem that the mobile network also failed
us during the Autumn storms.
BT, which is the largest communications provider have recognised
this saying that they underestimated the disruptive effect of
the upgrade and has temporarily paused its roll-out to find
viable back up solutions and ensure vulnerable customers get the
appropriate service. There's also the thorny issue of working
with the providers of healthcare pendants and alarm systems to
ensure they are modified if necessary to work with the new
digital system.
At the moment, the pause only affects BT customers but these are
in the majority: Skye and other providers have not yet made any
announcements although they face exactly the same challenges.
Two things from this: one is don't panic! Your communications
provider is mandated to ensure there is a viable way for you to
make the switch from copper to digital. The other is that,
assuming the teething problems are sorted, the new system will
provide much better quality phone calls.