Readers’ fury at BT’s digital ‘upgrade’ of phone network

SCORES of readers have registered their anger over BT’s rolling out of its home phone network ‘revolution’.

BT’s digital changeover will result in all traditional handsets being replaced by digital phones powered by electricity and reliant on the internet for calls to be made. So far, around two million homes are signed up and BT plans to embrace all 29million homes by the end of 2025.

Unlike analogue phones, digital phone lines do not work if there is a power cut. It means a potential lifeline for elderly or vulnerable people is lost if they need help.

Nicholas Markwell is still happy with his 1940s Bakelite home phone. The 56-year-old, from Caddington in Bedfordshire, says: ‘Technology should work for us and not the other way round. This change is against our will and a total waste of money.’

Jill Battershill, from Chiddingly in East Sussex, fears she and her cancer-stricken husband David have been left vulnerable after being forced to go digital. They have no mobile phone reception at home.

The 74-year-old says: ‘BT engineers sympathised, but they still went ahead with their work. We were promised a free back-up landline phone charger to use in emergencies, worth £80. Six months later we are still waiting.’

Former BT engineer Stuart Henty demanded compensation for costs after a switch in August. The retired 74-year-old, from East London, says: ‘I needed three new phones and these were all given free of charge. My burglar alarm also had to be upgraded – costing £230. BT gave me £190 for this.’

All telecoms providers must ensure households can contact emergency services in a power cut that lasts more than an hour. Therefore, if you are asked to go digital by BT, it is worth demanding a batterypowered phone charger – or a mobile phone if you do not have one.

A Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport spokesman says: ‘The Government and Ofcom are working together to ensure customers are protected and prepared for this industry-led upgrade.’