Campaigners claim that the landline digital changeover puts rural communities at risk.

According to protesters, plans for a digital switchover that will eliminate traditional landlines will put rural communities at risk.

BT plans to replace analogue phone lines with broadband-based ones by 2025, notwithstanding the delay.

Campaigners claim that elderly and more vulnerable individuals who rely on their landlines will be “shut off” in Shropshire, where service might be “patchy.”

According to BT, the switch to digital was both necessary and efficient.

The telecoms behemoth announced a postponement of the launch earlier this year, acknowledging that “we have more work to do on getting better back-up options in place for when things disrupt the service.”

‘Unconditional’

Shropshire Councilor Heather Kidd is urging for the deployment to be postponed until a “strong plan” is in place that will work for everyone.

It might prevent individuals from calling for help in an emergency, she said.

“No one has really come up with a mechanism to ensure that there’s a decent mobile phone signal,” she added, “but that still doesn’t address those individuals who aren’t digitally enabled, who can’t use cellphones that the world thinks we can all rely on.”

“For certain folks, the landline is an absolute.”

Instead of being hooked into a phone socket, handsets will be connected to broadband routers under the new arrangement.

BT claims that it would help reduce scam calls and enhance service, but critics worry that individuals without broadband will be unable to rely on mobile phone coverage as a backup in the event of a power outage.

Peter Phillips, who lives near the Stiperstones in the Long Mynd area, claims that the only way to acquire a cell signal at his house is to “walk out the garden, up the hill, and do some gymnastics.”

He stated of his landline, “It’s the only thing I have.” “There are no other options.”