Your phone service is changing
Analogue to digital switchover – what you need to know
Landlines in the UK are going digital. The existing analogue technology which has supported phone and broadband services for decades is being retired and switched off by the end of January 2027.
The vast majority of us will be provided with a broadband line to make phone calls using ‘Voice over IP’ technology that uses an internet connection, so phone landlines are here to stay, just provided differently.
When will this happen?
BT and other providers are rolling out the switchover programme out on a region-by-region basis, however in general they aren’t switching certain
vulnerable groups, as long as they are aware of their circumstances. The groups who aren’t currently being invited to switch are:
• People aged 75 and over
• People who only have a landline (and not broadband)
• People with telecare alarms
• People with no mobile signal at home.
BT will start contacting their customers, except those in these groups,
offering them the chance to switch to a digital landline provided over full
fibre broadband. Customers can choose not to move to FTTP and will still
be moved to Digital Voice from October 2024 onwards.
What will happen if you are moved to a digital voice service?
For most people, if you have a home phone (and no broadband) the switch to Digital Phone lines will have no impact on how you use your home phone going forward. While some phones might require an adaptor, many (99% of current phones) will continue working (particularly DECT cordless phones) – you will just have to plug the phone into a router or a new socket. Older phones may need to be replaced and if you are a BT customer they are offering digital phones at a discounted rate.
Can you keep your existing number?
Yes. In the majority of cases you will be able to keep the same phone number when the service is migrated. Exceptions can be if you change providers before taking a digital phone service, or if you move home.
No – you should never be charged simply to move to Digital Voice. Be cautious of scammers.
Do I have to have a digital phone line?
No – you will be able to choose not to have a line at all. Providers offer ‘broadband-only’ deals so you can select a service that doesn’t have a
landline included and use a mobile phone for phone calls.
What if I don’t have or want broadband?
If you only have a landline you won’t be forced to pay for broadband services that you don’t want or need. BT’s digital phone service will work using a special
dedicated broadband connection and shouldn’t cost any more than what you pay now. BT has made a specific commitment to telecoms regulator Ofcom that its customers will pay the same amount, and Virgin Media says its voice-only customers will also get the hub necessary for its digital phone services at no additional cost. Please make contact with your provider for more details.