We’re pleased to be working with BT, on the landline switchover information events in Cheshire, Warrington, and Halton. These events aim to support communities with the upcoming landline switchover. Ourselves and BT understand this could be a worrying time for our residents, as there are lots of questions and unknowns surrounding the switchover.

You may have heard that landlines are changing, and that the UK’s telephone network is going digital. These changes will affect everyone who has a landline they’d like to keep using. The good news is that landlines aren’t going away. They are just being upgraded. For most residents, the upgrade will be as simple as connecting your home phone handset to a router, rather than the phone socket on the wall. This is a once in a generation upgrade, to ensure that everyone stays connected now and into the future.

If you rely on a landline, you will still be able to make calls, but the technology that powers them will be different. The landline will use your broadband connection to make calls, rather than the old analogue network (known as PSTN, or public switched telephone network). The new technology is called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), but providers have different names for this, for example BT call this Digital Voice. More information about BT’s Digital Voice can be found here:  Digital Voice | Digital Home Phone | BT

For residents who don’t have a broadband service, your landline provider will work with you on a suitable option. BT will be offering a dedicated landline service, allowing you to use your landline in the same way you do today.

For residents with additional needs, BT is taking extra time and will provide additional support to customers who identify as vulnerable or with additional needs to ensure they are ready to move to a digital landline.

BT are encouraging customers to contact their customer services team if you need extra support by calling 0300 1234 150, or online via webform at Connected Together – All-IP – About BT | BT Plc .

Residents that use a telecare device, pendant alarm, or burglar alarm, please let your landline phone provider know. You should also check with the equipment provider to see whether it needs to be upgraded ahead of the switch.

By January 2027, the old analogue network will be completely switched off. In preparation for this change, BT and other home phone providers have been gradually switching customers over to the new technology. Your landline provider will contact you when they are ready to switch you. Alternatively, if you are unsure or have questions, please contact your landline provider, this is who you pay your telephone landline or broadband service bill to each month.

Upcoming events to find out more:

Join us at the Hale Village Hall on 20 May 2025, 10am-12pm, where in partnership with BT, we will be there to discuss any questions that you may have about the switchover.

There will be more events throughout the Summer which will be published on our events page: Digital Inclusion Events – Digital Cheshire

For more information about the switch over please visit: Digital Switchover – Digital Cheshire