BRITS will no longer have to worry about losing internet or their home phone line the next time there’s a power cut.
Vodafone, BT, KCOM and Zen Internet have teamed up to launch new back-up kit – and some households will be able to get hold of it for free.
Vodafone’s device will be available to other broadband companies too[/caption]
Kit will help keep people connected during power cuts such as those caused by Storm Darragh[/caption]
The Broadband Battery Backup device is capable of keeping users online for up to seven hours during major emergencies that affect power supplies, such as Storm Darragh last year.
Hundreds of thousands of homes were left without power as a result of the destruction left in its path.
Battery back-up tech tends to be quite large, heavy and loud but Vodafone says its new gadget “is compact and simple to install”.
While landlines have been in steady decline, almost two million Brits still rely on the service for their home alarm alone, as does some telecare equipment.
The move comes as BT prepares to retire the old copper-based public switched telephone network (PSTN) which is proving costly to maintain.
All customers will be moved to a fully digital internet-based network by 2027.
It was originally supposed to end in December 2025 but the plan was delayed until January 2027 following concerns for vulnerable people.
The new product came about after regulation from Ofcom that requires telecommunications firms to keep landline customers connected for up to an hour in the event of a power cut.
Users can expect to get between four and seven hours out of it, depending on their router.
The device will cost £150 but Vodafone is giving them out for free to all customers recognised as landline dependent.
“Innovative solutions such as Vodafone’s broadband battery backup can provide peace of mind to landline dependent customers, ensuring they don’t lose connectivity when they need it most,” said Chris Bryant, Minister for Telecoms and Data.
“Since stepping into office, I have made it my utmost priority to work with telecoms companies to put safety at the centre of the migration from analogue to digital landlines, and it is great to see the industry going to lengths to maximise tech innovation to boost safeguards for vulnerable people.”
Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director at Vodafone UK, added: “As we manage various power cut episodes across the country and approach the significant PSTN switch off in early 2027, we recognise the vital importance of safeguarding landline-dependent customers.
“That is why we are proud to work with other leading telcos to ensure everyone has access to a robust solution which delivers peace of mind and uninterrupted connectivity.”
Why are traditional landline services being shut down?
By James Flanders, Chief Consumer Reporter
LANDLINE phone calls have traditionally been delivered over the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
However, this network is old and becoming harder and more expensive to maintain.
As a result of this, BT has decided to retire its PSTN by January 2027, which means that other providers that use BT’s Openreach network must follow the same timescale.
Other companies with their own networks, such as Virgin Media, plan to follow a similar timescale.
Customers wishing to keep a landline phone must move to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service to take advantage of new “digital” landline services.
If you already have a broadband connection, for example, to the Internet, the VoIP service will use this.
If you don’t have a broadband connection, your provider will supply one specifically to support the VoIP service, but you shouldn’t pay extra for your VoIP service if you don’t take up a broadband service.
Unlike some traditional corded analogue phones, a digital phone will only work in a power cut if it has a battery backup.
If you are dependent on your landline phone – for example, if you don’t have a mobile phone or don’t have a mobile signal at your home – your provider must offer you a solution to ensure you can contact emergency services when a power cut occurs.
For example, a mobile phone (if you have a signal) or a battery backup unit for your landline phone.
This solution should be provided free of charge to people who are dependent on their landline.
