In reply to a post by c_j:

I'll keep my fingers crossed for all of us

Is there an official topic yet for pointing out the stupidity of the current plans for BT Digital Voice (and similar shortsightedness) in a time of increasingly frequent wide area power outages ?

I hope not: it's been done to death already.

In short: it's happening, you aren't going to be able to change it, so tough luck.

UKPN have announced goodwill payments for outages from Storm Eunice lasting longer than 24 hours. Details are here.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

In reply to a post by c_j:

I'll keep my fingers crossed for all of us

Is there an official topic yet for pointing out the stupidity of the current plans for BT Digital Voice (and similar shortsightedness) in a time of increasingly frequent wide area power outages ?

I hope not: it's been done to death already.

In short: it's happening, you aren't going to be able to change it, so tough luck.

While it is set in stone that the copper is being removed there is a head of steam building up about the contingency arrangements as the people in rural areas who were previously unaware of the impact of the changes are now waking up to the problem. People in the metropolitan areas have absolutely no concept of the problems that will be caused so often take a dismissive attitude. However they should be aware that the current contingency arrangements proposed by OFCOM (back up of 1 hour) are unlikely to be the definitive resolution.

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

While it is set in stone that the copper is being removed

It's not about copper removal: it's about removal of baseband voice service from the copper. Even those who remain with copper will have digital voice over VDSL or ADSL, if they choose to retain their voice service.

The PSTN switch-off will be completed by December 2025, long before most people have migrated to FTTP.

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

the current contingency arrangements proposed by OFCOM (back up of 1 hour) are unlikely to be the definitive resolution

That only applies to "vulnerable" customers. Others will get no support, and need to make their own backup power arrangements if they feel they need them.

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

People in the metropolitan areas have absolutely no concept of the problems that will be caused so often take a dismissive attitude

I didn't intend to come across as "dismissive", but there is no putting the clock back now.

On the plus side, the Shared Rural Network is currently being rolled out, which means that mobile coverage should improve substantially over the next few years. Of course, how long it works in the presence of an extended power outage will depend on what arrangements are made for backup power at the cell sites.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

On the plus side, the Shared Rural Network is currently being rolled out, which means that mobile coverage should improve substantially over the next few years. Of course, how long it works in the presence of an extended power outage will depend on what arrangements are made for backup power at the cell sites.

And, for outages lasting several days, what provision people have made for charging their phone batteries.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

In reply to a post by GonePostal:

the current contingency arrangements proposed by OFCOM (back up of 1 hour) are unlikely to be the definitive resolution

That only applies to "vulnerable" customers. Others will get no support, and need to make their own backup power arrangements if they feel they need them.

That is the point. The current proposals only apply to vulnerable customers because OFCOM is staffed by metropolitan bureaucrats who did not understand the impact of their proposals. Given the number of people who have been without contact during the recent spells of stormy weather and have been giving their MPs a hard time there will be considerable political pressure on OFCOM to look beyond their existing urban horizon.

Will you get Trillions of pound? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-60369098

In reply to a post by billford:

In reply to a post by candlerb:

On the plus side, the Shared Rural Network is currently being rolled out, which means that mobile coverage should improve substantially over the next few years. Of course, how long it works in the presence of an extended power outage will depend on what arrangements are made for backup power at the cell sites.

And, for outages lasting several days, what provision people have made for charging their phone batteries.

Mobile power-packs are ten-a-penny from your local phone accessories store. Keep a few charged up like we used to keep candles for power cuts.

If you have a normal car on the driveway, its battery will charge your phone many times over.

On the other hand, if you have an electric car, you could power your entire house from it for days

In reply to a post by candlerb:

In short: it's happening, you aren't going to be able to change it, so tough luck.

I do agree with you, I wonder how many normal folk currently have a spare phone (not requiring mains power) in the cupboard ready for when power outages occur? There are always pro's and con's to every technology change but we all learn to live with them.

Edited by deleted (Tue 22-Feb-22 14:03:24)

Haha. Reminds me of Dr Evil and the “One Hundred Million Dollars!!” scene.

Actually be closer to £190. Might pay for some diesel and hassle factor.