The UK is preparing for a Black Sky event, a days or weeks-long failure of the electric grid and other critical infrastructure triggered by extreme weather or a deliberate cyber attack. This would plunge Britain into darkness, endangering heating and water supply if reliant on electric pumps. There would be no internet, cash points could fail, shops would close, and perishable food would go bad. Trains would grind to a halt, traffic lights would go out, and the only reliable way to contact loved ones would be copper wire landline telephones.
Despite this, it's just 79 days until the UK switches off all working copper wire landlines for good. If a Black Sky event hits the nation, all communications between family and friends would cease.
Public concern over the switch-off
People online were quick to point out the risks. 'This is actually crazy because when you lose electricity, a landline will still work,' wrote one on TikTok. 'This is going to be a nightmare when people have power cuts,' said another. Others said it was 'dangerous', having experienced big power outages themselves. 'I live rurally and after a storm in 2022 (I think it was Arwen) we had no power for five days, so no WiFi and no phone signal,' they wrote. 'If we didn't have a landline we would have been completely cut off from everything.'
Others felt it was slightly more 'sinister'. 'This actually feels oddly unsettling,' someone said. 'This is so intentionally evil,' added another. Another speculated: 'If anything major happens we won't be able to contact each other.'
The move comes at an odd time, given the government's Be Ready campaign, which launched in October, warns Brits to have supplies for three days in case of 'severe weather or cyber attacks'.
The Big Switch Off explained
Dubbed The Big Switch Off, this will happen at the end of January 2027, and see the network we've used since 1876 cease to function. This is known as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It has been the backbone of home and business communication systems. Services that will be lost include standard landline telephones and associated telephone numbers, fax machines, alarm lines and door entry systems. Broadband (provided on a PSTN line) and EPOS Machines (a certain type of cash register) will also fail.
While this won't help to communicate with loved ones who live far away, Darren Rhodes, the 55-year-old founder and lead editor of UK Prepper Hub recently told Metro he advises buying walkie-talkies for an emergency. The government-recommended battery-powered or wind-up radio may help keep you informed, but won't help you communicate with other people if mobile networks go down. 'A cheap pair of licence-free walkie-talkies lets you keep in touch with a neighbour or a relative down the road,' he said. Those available on Amazon typically have a range of up to 5km if there's quite a clear path, although if it's a built up area this could go down to 1.5km. You can get a good set for around £25.
Elderly most affected
Even without a nationwide blackout, those aged 65 and over will struggle the most. According to Age UK, 2.4 million older people have limited use of the internet, or no internet at all. Many online were quick to point out their grandparents relied on copper landlines to talk to them. 'What about emergencies and elderly people,' said one. 'This better be a lie as I won't be able to contact my nana,' added another. 'I work in telecoms and the saddest part is trying to explain this to elderly customers,' shared one woman.
About 12% of older people – equivalent to 1.6 million – don't use a mobile phone at all, which experts say would be a way to communicate if they didn't fail. 'While mobile phones may still work, and mobile data may also be available, networks are likely to be at capacity with people trying to reach out to friends and family to check in on them,' Mayur Jauhari, commercial director at Lebara Mobile UK, said. 'Your best chance in this scenario is communicating via text, as these are more likely to get through if calls aren't working.'
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK tells Metro: 'With only three months to go, the digital landline switchover is entering a critical final phase. Most people have moved over without major problems, but nobody who relies on their landline or telecare should be left behind. Anyone with concerns should contact their provider, but the responsibility cannot rest with customers alone. Providers must not give up on people who have not responded. They need to keep trying to reach them and offer practical, individual support, recognising that some may be unwell, living with dementia, worried about scams or without anyone nearby to help.'
Caroline adds that nobody should be switched to an internet based landline until their telecare alarm – a wearable remote monitoring and personal emergency system that help elderly, disabled, or vulnerable people live safely and independently at home – is confirmed to work. They also need to be able to contact the emergency services during a power cut, and any battery back-up or other resilience support must already be installed and usable. So, it's time to check up on loved ones and their internet, and maybe invest in those walkie-talkies.
