Halt copper landline switch-off in all areas — 354 signatures. Status: open.
We believe the reliability, simplicity of use & clarity of sound of the copper landline makes it far superior to other telephony systems and is therefore essential for the elderly, vulnerable & unwell. In addition, equipment & back-up for digital systems is too complex and error-prone for many.
We feel that the need for mobile back-up for VOIP during outages can be problematic for those requiring a low-EMF environment and that VOIP routers with Wifi & DECT signals can be problematic for the considerable numbers of people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) as well as those with metallic & medicinal implants. The latter are not covered by UK EMF safety exposure limits as confirmed by Thomas v. Cheltenham Borough Council [2024] EWHC 1035. There is also scientific controversy about how protective the exposure limits are for everyone. We believe relying on mobile back-up for emergencies in outages is dangerous as EHS people need to live far from masts and as weather events such as thunderstorms can disrupt mobile signals.
View this petition on the official UK Parliament website