In rural areas we can experience power cuts more often than others in built up areas. Some of these areas do not have mobile phone coverage and with the digitisation of the phone network will leave these areas without a means to make a phone call as the new service needs power to support it. This is a serious problem for the elderly or for those who rely/ provide a callout service as they will not be able to contact or be contacted by others in an emergency situation. This has certainly proved a problem with the recent storms where being without power for several days meant no light, heat or water for some whose water relys on pumps leaving the only service, a phone available. With the new system this will no longer be available. This needs to be looked at again and soon as the new system is imminent cutting off people when they need the service the most!