The UK’s telephone network is changing. Between now and 2025 most telephone providers will be moving their customers from old analogue landlines over to new upgraded landline services using digital technology.
The switchover is being led by the UK telecommunications industry and services in the UK such as home phones and healthcare devices will be switched over.
This may include:
- Home phones (traditional landline)
- Amplified phones (for those with hearing loss)
- Personal telecare products
- Fall and motion detectors
- Portable healthcare devices such as ECG or oxygen monitors
Make sure you know what to expect and be prepared.
What do I need to do?
Your telephone provider will contact you to give you a switchover date and to check in and discuss what you need to do to make sure your service isn’t affected.
If you have telecare safety devices
If you or someone you know depends on their landline and/or use a telecare device connected to a phone line such as a fall monitor, lifeline or personal alarm, then please contact the provider of this service to find out how this device will be affected.
Vulnerable users are entitled to a backup battery free of charge from their provider if they have critical services running such as telecare/telehealth.
In an emergency
You should tell your telephone provider now if you have no other way of making emergency calls.
What if I have no broadband, internet or mobile phone?
Contact your telephone provider now.
What happens now?
Your telephone provider should contact you before the switchover to let you know if you’ll be affected. Please contact your telephone provider directly (BT, Virgin etc) if you have any concerns about the switchover.
Useful links
Local Government Association Digital phone switchover FAQs.
Local Government Association Digital switchover telecare checklist.
DCMS, UK transition from analogue to digital landlines
Ofcom, Moving landline phones to digital technology: what you need to know.
Which?, Digital Voice and the landline phone switch-off: what it means for you.
Age UK, Changes to landline telephones.