Keeping Comms Open

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What the project is about How we’re doing it What makes it innovative What we’re learning

Project Data

Start date:

01/20/2025

End date:

01/20/2027

Budget:

£635,102

Summary

Keeping Comms Open is designed to benefit customers who have a Smart UPS device in their home or live near a Community Satellite phone. In the event of a power outage, these devices will provide crucial support, easing stress and giving users a greater sense of control over their situation.

What is the project about?

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is currently transitioning from traditional copper cabling to a faster, more modern fibre optic network. Unlike the old system, the new fibre-based network will no longer receive power from the telephone exchange — instead, it will rely on electricity supplied from the customer’s property.

During severe storms, damage to the High Voltage (HV) overhead network can cause widespread and prolonged power outages. In such cases, mobile phone coverage is also at risk, as power loss at mobile network masts can result in weak or no signal.

In the absence of mobile service, staying in contact with family, friends, or emergency services becomes increasingly difficult. A Community Satellite Phone, however, offers a critical backup — providing residents with a reliable way to reach emergency services or their Distribution Network Operator (DNO) when it matters most.

These devices are also essential for frontline operational staff, allowing them to stay connected with depots and the operational control centre, even during extended outages — helping to coordinate faster and safer restoration efforts.

How we’re doing it

DefProc Engineering is enhancing its existing Smart Uninterruptible Power Supply (Smart-UPS) — originally developed for telehealth applications — to create a new version designed to power Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). These terminals are essential for connecting homes to fibre-optic networks and enabling internet access. The upgraded Smart-UPS will provide multi-day backup power to support fibre-to-the-premises, ensuring that both domestic and emergency phones remain operational during power outages.

In parallel, DefProc is developing a satellite phone box specifically for remote communities and substations. This device will act as a critical communication lifeline with the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) in areas experiencing a complete loss of connectivity. It will also support field teams and help provide tailored assistance to Priority Services Register (PSR) customers during emergencies.

As part of the trial phase, up to 18 Smart-UPS units will be distributed to customers for real-world testing. Participants will use the devices during actual power cuts to ensure they can maintain access to telecommunications and emergency support.

Additionally, up to 18 community satellite phones will be deployed in remote locations or substations with poor mobile coverage. These will be tested by field staff, enabling them to stay in touch with control centres, receive instructions and respond more effectively during outages.

What makes it innovative

This project originated from the EIC Call for Innovation ICA-23-03 – Keeping Comms Open During HV Faults, which invited proposals from innovators to address the challenge of maintaining communication during high voltage outages. Out of four submissions, one innovator was selected by the contributing network operators to move forward with the project.

The core focus of this initiative is the deployment and trial of telecommunications systems in customers’ homes—an area that falls outside the typical scope of electricity network operations. With the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switch-off scheduled to begin in 2027, there is currently no widespread deployment or live testing of such devices, largely due to limited demand to date.

This project represents a critical step in preparing for that transition. By trialling this equipment in real-world settings, we aim to ensure that Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are ready to support their vulnerable customers and maintain essential communication links once the PSTN is retired.

What we’re learning

The project was officially mobilised in January 2025, in collaboration with network partners Northern Powergrid and ScottishPower Energy Networks.

Since then, we’ve held workshops with charities and representative user groups to better understand the needs of vulnerable consumers and ensure the design of the devices is inclusive and accessible from the outset.

Prototypes of both the Smart UPS and Community Satellite Phone are currently in development and are expected to be ready for testing later this year. Following testing, they will be deployed in homes, community spaces, and substations.

To prepare for these trials, UK Power Networks is conducting an analysis of the Priority Services Register (PSR) to estimate the number of customers who could benefit. We are also mapping areas with limited mobile coverage—known as mobile not-spots—to identify the most effective locations for deploying satellite phones.

Beyond supporting this specific deployment, the project will provide valuable insights into the challenges of the upcoming PSTN switch-off. Once complete, the findings will be shared with other Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), enabling them to quickly adopt and scale similar solutions to support their own vulnerable customers.

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