LOCAL MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has applauded BT’s decision to pause the roll-out of its Digital Voice home phone service after concerns were raised it could leave families in remote parts of West Somerset and Exmoor unable to call for help in an emergency.

The MP was among a number of people who raised concerns about the new service which meant all phone calls are made on broadband.

The old analogue network operated with a low-voltage current running through the copper connecting cables which meant phone calls could still be made during a power cut.

But no such facility exists with the new system. Although subscribers are supplied with battery packs these have limited life. And that, said Mr Liddell-Grainger, could leave families unable to summon help in an emergency if they lived in remote areas with no mobile signal.

BT has now responded to their concerns. Policy and public affairs director Richard Wainer said the company apologised for any anxiety it may have caused among rural subscribers and as a result would not be switching over any customers who did not wish to move to the new technology.

He said alternative products would soon be available to allow emergency phone calls to be made, including longer-lasting battery units and home mobile landlines for people without broadband, but they were not yet ready to be launched.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said he was pleased BT had listened to the concerns and had put the programme on ice.

“I think this is another instance of BT not thinking things though - and particularly not realising that there are still many areas in the country where there is no mobile signal or at best a very poor one,” he said.

“The system works perfectly in well-served urban areas but all that unravels when you get into the depths of the countryside where - despite the claims of BT and others to have improved mobile coverage - many families are still waiting for the miracle of modern communications to materialise.

“At the same time, clearly the system needs modernising, partly because parts for the old one are becoming difficult, if not impossible to source, and I look forward to the day when all areas of the countryside are offered the same high-quality service already operating in towns and cities.

“But I am glad the company has seen sense. I welcome the fact it is working to perfect suitable remedies and I look forward to work on the programme being resumed as soon as they are available.”