Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose on 5 April (HL6987, HL6988, HL6989 and HL6990), whether local authorities are represented on the Digital Phone Advisory Group.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
In April, BT announced the expansion of its trials of Digital Voice with a small group of customers, extending beyond its pilot schemes in Salisbury in the South West, and Mildenhall in Suffolk. This expansion group will be made up of lower usage landline customers who already have a full fibre broadband connection. These customers will be contacted four weeks in advance to help ensure they’re ready to migrate to Digital Voice. This will be followed by further communication ahead of their switchover date. These will be sent out via letter, postcards and text messages and will include all of the information they need to make the switch, including how to set up their phone on the day of the switch. For most customers, the switch will consist of simply connecting a handset to a router rather than the phone socket on the wall.
BT has engaged with a broad range of external stakeholders as part of its Digital Voice migration programme. The Digital Voice Advisory Group (DVAG) has advised BT on how best to support and engage with customers who will require additional support to migrate to Digital Voice. Members of the DVAG include representative groups and charities such as Age UK, Department of Health and Social Care, Independent Age, Rural Services Network, Silver Voices and Which?. BT have also invited other organisations to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis.
BT has engaged with local authorities in a number of areas related to Digital Voice, although no local authorities are formal members of DVAG. BT is working with local authorities via industry working groups to discuss issues such as telecare and frequently speaks to the Local Government Association about Digital Voice.
In the pilot areas of Salisbury and Mildenhall, Communication Providers have cultivated working relationships with Wiltshire and Suffolk Councils to support the migration and related engagement activity. Communication Providers will replicate this approach when the time comes to migrate customers on a regional basis, working closely with other local authorities across the country to ensure the regional migration is as effective as possible.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose on 5 April (HL6987, HL6988, HL6989 and HL6990), what connectivity solutions they are proposing under the Digital Voice programme to premises with (1) little or no electricity, or (2) no mobile phone signal, in the event of (a) a power cut, or (b) where a resident does not have or want a mobile phone.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Communication Providers, including BT, have a range of solutions available for Digital Voice customers, particularly those who require extra support. For most customers with additional needs who live in an area with 4G mobile coverage, mobile remains the best way of making calls in the event of a power loss. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is working with industry to extend mobile coverage through projects such as the Shared Rural Network, and also to improve resilience of the mobile network.
Customers who do not have, or do not want, a mobile phone can request a hybrid phone with a built-in battery that switches automatically to the mobile network in the event of a power outage. This device looks and feels like a normal landline handset. For Digital Voice customers who live in an area without mobile signal and are identified as vulnerable, BT will provide a battery back-up unit free of charge. For customers without a fixed broadband connection, BT are also looking at developing a device which functions in the same way as the landline but uses the mobile network instead.
Ofcom estimates that less than 1% of BT landline customers have insufficient 4G mobile coverage in their area to make an emergency call. This number will drop as BT provides further investment to continue expanding its network – since March 2020 EE, part of BT Group, has improved 4G coverage in over 1,500 locations across the UK and expects to improve coverage in hundreds of further locations by June 2024.
We encourage customers who have questions about their power supply to contact their energy provider as Communications Providers do not provide a solution for customers without access to mains power.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose on 5 April (HL6987, HL6988, HL6989 and HL6990), how future-proofed the Digital Voice solutions will be in terms of (1) future mobile technology, and (2) the range of successive generations.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Communication Providers, including BT, have a range of solutions available for Digital Voice customers, particularly those who require extra support. For most customers with additional needs who live in an area with 4G mobile coverage, mobile remains the best way of making calls in the event of a power loss. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is working with industry to extend mobile coverage through projects such as the Shared Rural Network, and also to improve resilience of the mobile network.
Customers who do not have, or do not want, a mobile phone can request a hybrid phone with a built-in battery that switches automatically to the mobile network in the event of a power outage. This device looks and feels like a normal landline handset. For Digital Voice customers who live in an area without mobile signal and are identified as vulnerable, BT will provide a battery back-up unit free of charge. For customers without a fixed broadband connection, BT are also looking at developing a device which functions in the same way as the landline but uses the mobile network instead.
Ofcom estimates that less than 1% of BT landline customers have insufficient 4G mobile coverage in their area to make an emergency call. This number will drop as BT provides further investment to continue expanding its network – since March 2020 EE, part of BT Group, has improved 4G coverage in over 1,500 locations across the UK and expects to improve coverage in hundreds of further locations by June 2024.
We encourage customers who have questions about their power supply to contact their energy provider as Communications Providers do not provide a solution for customers without access to mains power.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose on 5 April (HL6987, HL6988, HL6989 and HL6990), who will cover the cost in cases where a (1) broadband router, or (2) Wi-Fi extender, is required under the Digital Voice programme.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Communication Providers, including BT, have a range of solutions available for Digital Voice customers, particularly those who require extra support. For most customers with additional needs who live in an area with 4G mobile coverage, mobile remains the best way of making calls in the event of a power loss. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is working with industry to extend mobile coverage through projects such as the Shared Rural Network, and also to improve resilience of the mobile network.
Customers who do not have, or do not want, a mobile phone can request a hybrid phone with a built-in battery that switches automatically to the mobile network in the event of a power outage. This device looks and feels like a normal landline handset. For Digital Voice customers who live in an area without mobile signal and are identified as vulnerable, BT will provide a battery back-up unit free of charge. For customers without a fixed broadband connection, BT are also looking at developing a device which functions in the same way as the landline but uses the mobile network instead.
Ofcom estimates that less than 1% of BT landline customers have insufficient 4G mobile coverage in their area to make an emergency call. This number will drop as BT provides further investment to continue expanding its network – since March 2020 EE, part of BT Group, has improved 4G coverage in over 1,500 locations across the UK and expects to improve coverage in hundreds of further locations by June 2024.
We encourage customers who have questions about their power supply to contact their energy provider as Communications Providers do not provide a solution for customers without access to mains power.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the resumption by BT of the rollout of Digital Voice, what assessment they have made of plans to improve mobile phone coverage in the areas without copper connection.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The UK’s transition from the Public Switched Telecoms Network (PSTN) to IP-based telephony services (such as BT’s Digital Voice programme) is an industry-led migration. While Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) meets regularly with telecom providers to discuss their progress, we do not assess individual companies’ programmes given each provider has their own schedule and plans for the upgrade.
Openreach, as the subsidiary of BT Group responsible for operating and maintaining the digital network, is working closely with other communications providers and industry bodies to collectively work through any migration challenges. In 2018, Openreach conducted a consultation towards communication providers to inform its strategy for the PSTN migration.
Separately, BT’s consumer division has reformed its approach to migrating residential customers. For instance, they have introduced the Digital Voice Advisory Group, an association made up of charities and representative groups that has been advising on the needs of customers most affected by the switch. DSIT meets regularly with both Openreach and BT Consumer counterparts to monitor their progress and discuss particular issues.
Customers with limited broadband connectivity will not be adversely impacted by the PSTN migration. In order to function correctly, Voice over IP requires a minimum stable connection speed of just 0.5 Mbps, and for current landline-only customers it will be possible to order a VoIP landline without purchasing an internet connection.
Furthermore, the PSTN migration does not affect the universal service obligations set in the Electronic Communications (Universal Service) Order 2003 which require the designated providers (namely BT Group and KCOM) to offer telephony services throughout the UK. BT Group and KCOM will still be required to provide access to a range of telephony services.
This government remains committed to extending good quality mobile coverage across the UK. The Shared Rural Network programme will increase 4G mobile coverage to 95% of the UK landmass by the end of 2025, underpinned by licence obligations. Furthermore, through the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, we have announced a new ambition of nationwide coverage of standalone 5G to all populated areas by 2030.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the resumption by BT of the rollout of Digital Voice, what assessment they have made of the consultation which has taken place prior to resumption of the Digital Voice rollout.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The UK’s transition from the Public Switched Telecoms Network (PSTN) to IP-based telephony services (such as BT’s Digital Voice programme) is an industry-led migration. While Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) meets regularly with telecom providers to discuss their progress, we do not assess individual companies’ programmes given each provider has their own schedule and plans for the upgrade.
Openreach, as the subsidiary of BT Group responsible for operating and maintaining the digital network, is working closely with other communications providers and industry bodies to collectively work through any migration challenges. In 2018, Openreach conducted a consultation towards communication providers to inform its strategy for the PSTN migration.
Separately, BT’s consumer division has reformed its approach to migrating residential customers. For instance, they have introduced the Digital Voice Advisory Group, an association made up of charities and representative groups that has been advising on the needs of customers most affected by the switch. DSIT meets regularly with both Openreach and BT Consumer counterparts to monitor their progress and discuss particular issues.
Customers with limited broadband connectivity will not be adversely impacted by the PSTN migration. In order to function correctly, Voice over IP requires a minimum stable connection speed of just 0.5 Mbps, and for current landline-only customers it will be possible to order a VoIP landline without purchasing an internet connection.
Furthermore, the PSTN migration does not affect the universal service obligations set in the Electronic Communications (Universal Service) Order 2003 which require the designated providers (namely BT Group and KCOM) to offer telephony services throughout the UK. BT Group and KCOM will still be required to provide access to a range of telephony services.
This government remains committed to extending good quality mobile coverage across the UK. The Shared Rural Network programme will increase 4G mobile coverage to 95% of the UK landmass by the end of 2025, underpinned by licence obligations. Furthermore, through the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, we have announced a new ambition of nationwide coverage of standalone 5G to all populated areas by 2030.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the resumption by BT of the rollout of Digital Voice, what assessment they have made of the Digital Voice rollout on small service providers.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The UK’s transition from the Public Switched Telecoms Network (PSTN) to IP-based telephony services (such as BT’s Digital Voice programme) is an industry-led migration. While Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) meets regularly with telecom providers to discuss their progress, we do not assess individual companies’ programmes given each provider has their own schedule and plans for the upgrade.
Openreach, as the subsidiary of BT Group responsible for operating and maintaining the digital network, is working closely with other communications providers and industry bodies to collectively work through any migration challenges. In 2018, Openreach conducted a consultation towards communication providers to inform its strategy for the PSTN migration.
Separately, BT’s consumer division has reformed its approach to migrating residential customers. For instance, they have introduced the Digital Voice Advisory Group, an association made up of charities and representative groups that has been advising on the needs of customers most affected by the switch. DSIT meets regularly with both Openreach and BT Consumer counterparts to monitor their progress and discuss particular issues.
Customers with limited broadband connectivity will not be adversely impacted by the PSTN migration. In order to function correctly, Voice over IP requires a minimum stable connection speed of just 0.5 Mbps, and for current landline-only customers it will be possible to order a VoIP landline without purchasing an internet connection.
Furthermore, the PSTN migration does not affect the universal service obligations set in the Electronic Communications (Universal Service) Order 2003 which require the designated providers (namely BT Group and KCOM) to offer telephony services throughout the UK. BT Group and KCOM will still be required to provide access to a range of telephony services.
This government remains committed to extending good quality mobile coverage across the UK. The Shared Rural Network programme will increase 4G mobile coverage to 95% of the UK landmass by the end of 2025, underpinned by licence obligations. Furthermore, through the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, we have announced a new ambition of nationwide coverage of standalone 5G to all populated areas by 2030.
Asked by: Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the resumption by BT of the rollout of Digital Voice, what assessment they have made of the (1) timing, and (2) nature, of communication of the copper switch off.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
BT’s Digital Voice rollout relates to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) migration. The PSTN is a privately-owned network and the upgrade to digital voice services is an industry-led process. Consumers will be migrated to digital voice services by 2025. We remain engaged with Communications Providers including BT to monitor their migration processes. We want to ensure that consumers including the most vulnerable are protected and prepared for the upgrade.
Copper switch off, or the retirement of fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) broadband services, is a separate process. Ofcom, the UK’s telecommunications regulator, will monitor and oversee the withdrawal of copper services. FTTC broadband services will continue to operate after the PSTN has been replaced.
In Volume Three of Ofcom’s Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review 2021-26 (WFTMR), it set out some criteria by which it will allow Openreach to decommission the copper-based network in future, however Ofcom has also decided it is currently too early in the migration process to define the conditions that will trigger the complete deregulation of the copper network. Ofcom will set out further details on this process in the next market review period.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Exeter (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the £3,400 limit per property to install broadband as set out in the Universal Service Obligation for Broadband, launched in March 2020, given the widening digital divide.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The technical specifications and cost thresholds of the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) aim to ensure that it remains relevant over time to meet the rising needs of consumers' expectations and demands, providing them with a safety net of provision to ensure effective participation in society and the economy.
The Communications Act 2003 includes an automatic request for the Secretary of State to give direction to Ofcom to review the USO once at least 75% of premises in the UK subscribe to a broadband service that provides download speeds of at least 30 Mbps. As of September 2022, Ofcom reports that 70% of premises are subscribed to such a service. We continue to liaise with Ofcom on uptake relative to the trigger, and on the broadband USO.
Under S72A Communication Act 2003, it is the responsibility of Ofcom, upon such direction, to ‘review and report...on any provision made, or that may be made, by the universal service order’ including the cost of a broadband connection.
Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has had recent discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority on mid-contract price increases on (a) mobile and (b) broadband contracts.
Answered by Paul Scully
This is clearly a very difficult time for families up and down the country who are struggling to pay their bills as a result of the global rise in the cost of living.
On 23 January, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport met with Chief Executives from major broadband and mobile providers at which she asked them to consider carefully the need, at this time, for above inflation price increases and highlighted the impact they may have on those already struggling to pay their bills.
In addition, Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, has rules in its General Conditions which ensure that any price increases which may occur during the length of the contract are clear, transparent and prominent at the point of sale.
Both the Competition and Markets Authority and Ofcom are independent. The government engages regularly with Ofcom on matters relating to affordability of communication services, and we continue to carefully monitor retail pricing in the sector.