Tuesday 15 September 2026 | 1:30pm–3:30pm | Online
Reliable digital connectivity is no longer a luxury. It underpins access to employment, education, healthcare, public services and social connection, but significant gaps remain across rural communities.
Join the Rural Services Network for a dedicated National Rural Conference session exploring the future of rural connectivity, the move to digital home phones and practical approaches to improving broadband access in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Taking place online on Tuesday 15 September, the session will bring together expertise from the telecommunications sector and local government. Attendees will hear about the changes already taking place, the experiences of rural communities and the work needed to ensure digital transformation is accessible and inclusive.
What Will The Session Explore?
As more aspects of everyday life move online, inadequate connectivity can deepen existing rural inequalities. Residents and businesses need reliable services, while local authorities, healthcare providers and other organisations increasingly depend on digital infrastructure to reach the communities they serve.
The transition from the traditional landline network to digital home phones also represents a significant change. Clear communication and appropriate support will be particularly important for vulnerable customers and people living in areas where mobile signals or power supplies may be less reliable.
The session will explore:
- The final stage of BT’s move from traditional landlines to digital home phones
- What the digital phone switchover means for rural residents and communities
- The importance of identifying and supporting vulnerable customers
- The connectivity challenges facing rural and hard-to-reach areas
- Devon’s experience of championing improved rural broadband
- The role of councils and local partnerships in addressing connectivity gaps
- How better connectivity can support rural businesses, communities and public services
- What more is needed to ensure rural communities can benefit from digital transformation
The presentations will be followed by an open panel discussion and audience Q&A, providing an opportunity to put questions directly to the speakers and contribute to the wider conversation.
Meet The Speakers
Sodhi Dhillon, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, BT Digital Voice & Migrations
Sodhi Dhillon is an experienced telecommunications professional with more than 30 years’ experience across the industry.
With a background in electronics and data communications, Sodhi is closely involved in BT’s transition to an all-digital network. He began his career developing payphones using smartcard technology and has since worked in a range of roles developing products and solutions for consumer and business customers.
Sodhi will explain the changes taking place as BT enters the final year of its digital home phone switchover and what customers and communities need to know.
Presentation: BT Digital Home Phone Switchover 2026: The Final Year
Cllr Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Devon County Council
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin is a fifth-generation farmer, mother of two, and a dedicated advocate for Devon’s rural communities. Living and working in a farming family, she has first-hand experience of the opportunities and challenges that come with rural life.
Elected to Devon County Council in May 2025, Cheryl was appointed as the Council’s first Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs (including Broadband). She works to ensure rural perspectives are reflected in policy and decision-making, championing issues that matter to residents, businesses, and the agricultural sector across Devon.
Drawing on her farming background and lived experience, Cheryl understands the importance of reliable connectivity, strong infrastructure, and accessible services in supporting local economies and everyday life. She is passionate about collaborative, cross-party working and ensuring that people living and working in rural areas are heard and have the opportunities they need to thrive.
Presentation: “Digital Infrastructure – Challenges and solutions in Devon”
(Joint presentation alongside Matt Barrow)
Matt Barrow, Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Connecting Devon and Somerset, Devon County Council
Matt Barrow is Stakeholder Engagement Officer for Connecting Devon and Somerset at Devon County Council.
Working directly with communities and stakeholders, Matt brings practical insight into the challenges of improving broadband access across a large and predominantly rural area.
Matt will present alongside Cllr Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, sharing local experience of working to improve connectivity for rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Grant Black, CEO and Creative Director, Rural Media
Grant is a creative leader with experience across broadcast, digital, and charitable sectors. Passionate about how creativity and authentic storytelling can lead to meaningful social impact.
A committed advocate for emerging talent, supporting the next generation of diverse voices in media and the arts. Currently CEO and Creative Director of Rural Media and Rural Studios.
Presentation: “Digital Inclusion: The Rural Reality”
Alison Peaden, Library Services Manager, Northumberland County Council
Alison will share insights into the role of rural libraries in supporting communities, improving access to services and helping to reduce isolation.
Full biography coming soon!
Who Should Attend?
This session will be particularly valuable for:
- Local-authority digital, broadband and connectivity teams
- Elected members with responsibility for rural affairs, digital inclusion or economic development
- IT, transformation and customer-services teams
- Telecommunications and infrastructure providers
- Health, care and emergency-service organisations
- Business networks and organisations supporting rural enterprise
- Voluntary and community organisations
- Digital-inclusion and community-support professionals
- Anyone working to improve connectivity or access to services in rural communities
This is not an exhaustive list. We welcome colleagues from across RSN member organisations who have an interest in rural connectivity, digital inclusion, public-service delivery or the future of digital infrastructure.
This session is exclusively available to RSN members. Attendance is included at no additional cost with eligible membership packages, while a small fee applies to Rural Village Services Group and Rural Market Town Group members.
Please note that the session will not be recorded. To hear directly from our speakers, take part in the Q&A and contribute to the discussion, you will need to join us live.
Tuesday 15 September 2026
1:30pm – 3:30pm
Online
With thanks to our conference supporters
The Rural Services Network would like to thank our National Rural Conference 2026 supporters for helping us deliver this important programme of discussion, learning and shared rural experience.
