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<p>The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is a privately-owned telecoms network
and the decision to upgrade it has been taken by the telecoms industry, not the government.
However, the government and Ofcom are working together to ensure consumers and sectors
are protected and prepared for the upgrade process.</p><p>Ofcom, the independent telecoms
regulator, has issued guidance on how telecoms companies can fulfil their regulatory
obligation to ensure that their Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) customers have
access to the emergency services during a power outage. This guidance was prepared
following consultation with Ofgem and the industry, looking at data on average power
outages among other factors.</p><p>This guidance states that providers should have
at least one solution available that enables access to emergency organisations for
a minimum of one hour in the event of a power outage in the premises, and that the
solution should be suitable for customers’ needs and should be offered free of charge
to those who are at risk as they are dependent on their landline. Ofcom’s full guidance
is available on its website <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/123118/guidance-emergency-access-power-cut.pdf"
target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
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