Copper land lines, while ‘old technology’, provide resilience and mitigation for poor cellphone signal in many rural areas, and work during power cuts. We think digital rollout is a national strategic risk and should be subject to a review.

Storm Goretti left many Cornish households without electricity for up to 4 days. Digital phone lines do not work during power cuts, leaving people unable to seek help when their homes are damaged by storms or check on vulnerable relatives. We believe land lines need to be independent of electrical supplies and function during power cuts.