Helen raises ‘serious concerns’ over digital landline switchover

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan is urging residents who are vulnerable or don’t have a reliable mobile signal to contact their landline provider as soon as possible ahead of the digital switchover.

Helen has welcomed reports that the switchover is being paused, meaning that no current customer will be forced to switch until better support plans are in place.

But the MP has raised serious concerns over the impact of the digital landline switchover on elderly and vulnerable people as well as the many residents in Shropshire who struggle to get a mobile phone signal at home.

She is urging anyone concerned about the switch to digital to contact their current landline provider to discuss their options as soon as possible.

The key issue surrounds ensuring that people can still communicate in the event of a power cut, as the current analogue landlines still work when power is disrupted, but digital landlines do not. It comes amid news that it will take months for telecoms firms and government to develop a definition for ‘vulnerable’ people.

Helen has been a leading campaigner for her constituents over broadband, mobile signal and landline issues, recently hosting a cross-party roundtable on digital connectivity for rural areas in Parliament.

She has also spoken in a Westminster Hall debate on the topic, where she told other MPs that “rural communities are already disadvantaged regarding communication possibilities. We need to ensure that when we switch from the outdated copper wire technology, we have a robust back-up plan for those people who will be without power potentially for days on end.”

The MP has repeatedly expressed her worries that rural areas like North Shropshire are likely to be the worst-hit by the switchover, with elderly and digitally excluded residents often unaware that a change has even been proposed.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said, “Phasing out copper wire could leave people dangerously isolated in an emergency, if their power is down and they don’t have a reliable mobile signal.

“You can’t even drive across North Shropshire and make a phone call due to how poor the signal can be – so it’s crucial the industry gets a grip on this problem.

“I have serious concerns over the digital landline switchover and the impact that losing copper wire landlines will have on some of my most vulnerable constituents. Nobody should be switched without a proper back-up plan in place.

“Therefore it’s really important that anyone concerned about the switchover contacts their landline provider to discuss their options as soon as possible.”