Moving to a digital phone line will be straightforward for most, plus some will happily take the opportunity to forego a landline altogether. Many customers have already moved over to Digital Voice, particularly customers who have signed up to full fibre broadband services. Eventually everyone with a landline will be migrated.
Read on to understand five key things you need to know about transition timings, and what the changes mean for you and your loved ones.
For more on digital landlines and what they mean for you, read our .1. The digital switchover is ramping up
BT, the UK’s largest landline provider, reports that 2.5 million people are already using its Digital Voice service, which operates via broadband instead of copper phone lines.
Similar services are often referred to as 'VoIP,' 'IP voice,' or branded versions like 'Sky Voice' and 'TalkTalk Voice.'
As of January 2025, BT has resumed large-scale migrations to Digital Voice ahead of the 2027 deadline, with exceptions for vulnerable customers and telecare users, who will receive additional support.
2. Vulnerable customers will be moved regionally
To ensure vulnerable customers are fully supported, the Government has asked home phone providers to introduce new measures designed to protect elderly and vulnerable people during the transition to digital landlines. It's absolutely essential that no one gets left behind in the transition to digital phone lines.
BT has told us that, as part of this agreement, it is offering an engineer visit to anyone with additional needs, including those who rely on telecare devices or pendant alarms. If you or a loved one fall into this category, check with the landline provider about migration timelines and available support.
BT plans to migrate vulnerable customers regionally, as this allows for greater focus and engagement from BT, local authorities, charities, and community groups in the area. For BT customers, the roll out schedule is:
From Spring 2025From Summer 2025From Autumn 2025
3. Technical developments mean digital landlines have become more reliable
New measures now ensure customers will stay connected during extended power outages, providing greater reliability and peace of mind.
Digital landline services require power to make calls, so in a power cut, customers are advised to use a mobile phone if possible. BT recommends keeping a charged 4G mobile phone with a 4G SIM as a backup.
For customers with additional needs, such as those with health pendants, BT offers battery backup units for free, on request. If they have 4G signal, they can receive a hybrid phone, that can switch to a mobile network and has a built-in battery enabling at least one hour’s talk time.
BT will soon introduce an improved battery backup unit, which is smaller, lighter, and features a standby mode for extended blackouts. These advancements help ensure continuous connectivity, especially for those who rely on their landline in emergencies.
Other providers offer similar solutions - for example, TalkTalk offers battery backups to certain customers, while Virgin Media offers an 'emergency back up line' box that can connect to a mobile network in an outage.
4. There are added benefits to digital landlines
For most people, using a digital home phone service like Digital Voice will feel much like an analogue landline. You can use the same phone and you'll hear the same dial tone when you pick up.
However, the new technology offers added benefits, including crystal-clear call quality, greater reliability, and enhanced resilience which further improves dependability and reduces interruptions.
It can also mean greater protection against nuisance calls. BT has introduced Scam Protect, a feature that blocks tens of thousands of fraudulent calls daily, providing extra security and peace of mind, particularly for elderly individuals who are more vulnerable to phone scams.
5. No broadband? No problem
Customers without broadband won’t be required to subscribe to a service they don’t want or need.
Instead, BT will provide a dedicated connection for their phone service, requiring no new equipment or engineer visits. They will essentially be able to continue using their landline in the same way that they do today until 2030.
Contact your landline provider if you need support
If you have concerns or vulnerable loved ones who may need additional support, a key step is to make your provider aware of your concerns - they should then take steps to ensure support is put in place.
With the right support, the switch doesn’t have to be disruptive. Staying informed on key dates, available protections, and assisting those who may need help can make the process easier. If you have concerns, now is the time to contact your phone provider to get that support in place.
News, deals and stuff the manuals don't tell you.source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-landline-switchover-and-how-to-help-your-loved-ones-aUYo68j70qBL