[Stronsaylimpet] Telephone network update

[Limpet editor]

/ From Alistair Carmichael MP:/

Many constituents have contacted me regarding this matter in recent 
weeks to raise their concerns about the way the changeover is being 
handled and the implications for safety and resilience in the network 
for the isles, particularly in the case of power cuts – and I am glad to 
report that next Wednesday I will lead a debate on the topic.
Most of the copper wire network planned to be closed by the end of 2025 
as it is replaced with broadband connections, but we all know that rural 
and island areas of the UK have some of the lowest rates of broadband 
connection. The news this week that Openreach has now reached the 
“halfway” point in its broadband upgrade programme will be cold comfort 
for the many households in the isles which continue to wait.
Besides the issue of rollout of broadband to the isles there is the 
matter of power cuts. During power outages in Shetland in December 2022, 
some properties were left without power for as long as six days. The 
replacement “Voice over Internet Protocol” (VoIP) system only has a 
resilience of one hour using a backup battery with Openreach, and relies 
on a broadband connection.
We need a proper plan to maintain resilience in future, whatever happens 
to the copper network. There is a lack of confidence in the switchover 
as things stand – particularly for people who are the most isolated or 
reliant on emergency connections.
I have raised concerns about the copper wire network in Parliament 
before and the answers have not been good enough. Now is the time for 
ministers and officials to brush up and front up on what they are going 
to do to ensure that the new systems work for vulnerable people and for 
our island communities.
The debate will be held at 9.30am on Wednesday 13th December. I would 
urge anyone with concerns about the changes to the network to contact my 
office ahead of time (at alistair.carmichael.mp at parliament.uk), so that 
we can present the strongest possible evidence of the potential impact. 
This is not about opposing change – but it is about ensuring that the 
needs of our communities are heard.
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