I am not sure about Open rechs statement that central battery powering will be discontinued becuase that would involve quite bit of engineering -why would they undertake that rather than leave as it is because there is little to no chance they will meet this dead line and some landlines will stay operational. What they can say is that keeping a traditional phone may at some point cease working and they will then transfer you to VOIP . Most people will just go for the VOIP option but Ofcom , as weak and useless as always should have mandated back up battery (2 x AA) in the home router for service continuity. As to your misfortune with mobile service how many other properties were affected by the antennae facing the 'wrongway'. Once thy have a tower power and connectivity it isnt that expensive to add other antennae to the tower. If there were a lot of you its surprising no operator went for that option. Being from the physical connectivity side of the industry I regard any radio system as somewhere between a miracle or black magic due to its vagaries and temperamental service.