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<p><i>From Alistair Carmichael MP & Liam McArthur MSP:</i></p>
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Last year, we promised that our next Digital Forum event would
focus on the planned transition from the UK’s analogue ‘copper
wire’ landline system to a digital landline network, known as
‘Digital Voice’ or ‘Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)’. This
followed considerable interest in this issue at last October’s
Digital Forum, as well as correspondence from a number of
constituents raising understandable concerns about potential
impact of a digital transition on communities in Orkney.</p>
<p style="margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px"> </p>
<p style="margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px">We are
now pleased to confirm that the next Forum will be held later this
spring, with <strong>representatives from BT and the UK network
regulator, Ofcom</strong>, attending to provide information
regarding their work to prepare for the planned 2025 switch-off of
the ‘copper wire’ analogue network.</p>
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</p>
<p style="margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px">We will
also have the opportunity to hear <strong>updates from Openreach
and EE</strong> on the continued rollout of mobile and broadband
coverage the islands.</p>
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The event will take place from<strong> 12-2pm on Friday 31 May in
the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall</strong>, <strong>with a
‘hybrid’ option available</strong> so that those unable to
attend in person can tune in and participate online. As with
previous Digital Forums, the format will consist of presentations
from speakers followed by open Q&A sessions.</p>
<p style="margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px"> </p>
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Anyone who wants to find out more about either the digital
switchover or the expansion of connectivity in the isles is
welcome to come along. Further details, including speakers and
details on how to join remotely, will be shared in due course. In
the meantime, you can register your interest at the Facebook event
listed <strong><a
href="https://click.ngpvan.com/k/81429812/462431048/1680558177?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9MSUJVSy9MSUJVSy8xLzM4NTM1IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjU2NGU3YzE4LTRjZTgtZWUxMS1hYWYwLTAwMjI0ODIyMzc5NCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAicmljYXJkaWFuQGNsYXJlbW9udHN0cm9uc2F5LmNvLnVrIg0KfQ%3D%3D&hmac=zdBhOV92ZzeVQiKc4XTQYKsYlZbwKWF11qNBGQuYMXw=&emci=279e70fd-29e8-ee11-aaf0-002248223794&emdi=564e7c18-4ce8-ee11-aaf0-002248223794&ceid=397233"
target="_blank"
style="text-decoration: underline; color: #2b59c3;"
rel="noopener"><strong>here</strong></a></strong>.
</p>
<p></p>
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