The telephone network is an extremely complex arrangement of cables, digital exchange equipment, processor equipment and transmission links. Any disruption of service caused by either a fault or a third party can have an adverse effect on a community.

 BT has a number of plans, procedures and resources to handle any eventuality. It monitors the operating state of its equipment 24 hours a day 7 days a week via its Integrated Management Centres diversely located within the UK

During conditions of high volumes of traffic on the network, the Integrated Management Centres can invoke a number of network controls to maintain users access whilst reducing the risk of overloading the equipment. Under extreme emergency circumstances, the operation of the Government Telephone Preference Scheme (GTPS) may be considered. GTPS is rarely invoked and would only be considered if there was a major risk to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).