A recent online post from my MP, David Smith was talking about some of the challenges behind the digital switchover from copper landlines, especially in emergencies where loss of mains power would result in the loss of the phone network. The older copper system was self-powered, meaning if mains electricity was lost, landline phones could potentially remain working.
My solution would be to place an emergency satellite phone adjacent to community defibrillators; these would be battery powered, and satellite phones can work regardless of weather conditions.
It would maintain communications for emergency use when the main network is down, and could offer the advantage of returning some level of payphone service to communities too for those without a phone, such as those fleeing a violent partner or someone needing to phone an organisation such as Samaritans if in distress.
In a larger town/city, they might not be at every defibrillator site, perhaps only at certain key locations, but it might be wise for at least one in every rural village?
Ryan Hogg 