The UK's analogue landlines are being upgraded to digital. The changeover starts soon and will be completed by December 2025. Will you be impacted?
The BT digital switchover starts in the Summer of 2023 and will roll out on a region by region basis. Other companies relying on the BT analogue network, such as other internet providers, will also start rolling out digital systems.
When will I be switched over?
The phone company will get in touch with you when they want you to make the change. However, they aren't currently switching certain groups, including:
people aged 70 and over
people with additional needs
people who only have a landline (and not broadband)
people with telecare alarms
people with no mobile signal at home.
What happens?
For most people the change will be straightforward. If you have broadband already you may just need to plug your phone into the internet router or you will be sent an adapter that will connect your phone to the router. If your phone is very old, you may need to change it. In most cases you will be able to keep your current phone number.
Will anything else be affected?
The switchover may affect telecare devices, personal alarms and security alarms if connected to your phone line. When contacted about the switchover let them know about these devices. Also speak to the supplier of equipment to see what they recommend.
Power cuts!
Unlike analogue phones, a digital phone will not work in a power cut. If this happens phone companies are advising people to use mobile phones as a backup. If you don't have a mobile phone or live somewhere with a poor signal, then your provider must offer a "resilience solution" to make calls during a power cut.
Further Info
Further information can be found on the Local Government Website & BT: