Lobbying success for CLA as BT agree to keep traditional landlines
With many areas still struggling to receive basic mobile and internet connectivity, landlines continue to be a lifeline for many.BT has decided to pause its digital landline rollout following customer backlash and CLA lobbying for improved digital connection in rural areas.
A spokesperson from BT said that Storms Arwen and Eunice, which left many without power for days, had uncovered that some areas were not yet ready to rely solely on digital connection without having secured working signal in rural areas.
Responding to the announcement, CLA President Mark Tufnell said:
“We are pleased that BT has listened to our calls to scrap plans to remove traditional landlines from homes and businesses."
With many areas still struggling to receive basic mobile and internet connectivity, landlines continue to be a lifeline for many people in isolated communities.
“The answer to this is simple. If BT wants to scrap landlines in the long term, it needs to ensure every single part of the country is fully connected. Sadly, this aspiration feels a long way away for many rural communities. We call on BT to redouble their efforts to ensure full coverage for the nation, so that the social and economic benefits of modern technology can be felt in every village and every household.”