What will happen if Britain has winter blackouts?

[Lycan]

The UK is facing the likelihood of energy blackouts this winter that may include electricity for three hours at a time.

This will mean no internet connection and for those on Digital Voice no telephone connection either.

Elderly people will be left vulnerable in case of an emergency 999 if they do not have a mobile phone as a backup and many do not, either not wanting one or cannot afford one.

What can be done?

[jac_95]

Hi Lycan,

Thanks for the post and welcome to the Community.

This is an automated response as I can see you have a question about BT’s Digital Voice service. Rather than waiting for a response from the Community, you may find an answer to your question by using the search bar on the Community homepage. We also have a thread that contains a wealth of info related to BT’s Digital Voice, click this link to take a look, Digital Voice FAQs.

If you have already looked for the answer to your question and have not found anything that can help, then please ignore this message. One of our Community members will be along shortly to help you further.

[jac_95]

Hi @Lycan 

Under OFCOM guidelines  communication provider, which included BT Consumer, need to work with their customers to understand their needs when moving to Digital Voice/VoIP service.

For those that are vulnerable BT may offer them a solution free of charge. Some solutions include a Battery Backup/UPS device, a mobile or a hybrid phone (not yet released by BT Consumer).

BT Consumer today provide a UPS device that lasts at least 1hr but can last longer. They are also working to provide ones that lasts much longer too.

Have a look at https://landlinesgo.digital/powercut/ that has useful information on how to make calls during a powercut.

More resources can be found (including some customer provided overviews and tests of different solutions*) at: https://landlinesgo.digital/resources/

*Information provided by customers should be used for guidance only and any results/tests/information maybe inaccurate or differ between situations/environments. 

[Jeremy69a]

I think this "The UK is facing the likelihood of energy blackouts this winter" is overstating the case and in keeping with the genreral hysteria that besets us these days.

[iniltous]

I suppose if it’s the power company that cannot guarantee supply , and it’s a power company customer that could be affected by not having power , ( it’s self evidently not a BT ‘ failure’ to supply , but the power company’s failure to supply ) , and in your opinion a ‘free’ mobile phone would provide the necessary ability to contact the emergency services during the power company failure ,  presumably you would agree it’s the power company that should be providing this ‘back up’ device, after all it’s their contractual obligation to provide ‘ power’ ,

So your question would be best asked of the power company’s ,  but strangely you post on here ( apology’s if you have also posted on the various power supply company’s customer forums ) 

[Lycan · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your polite and non-condescending reply.