Digital Switchover

The UK is currently going through a digital transition relying more than ever on broadband connectivity, and less so on landlines, 2G and 3G services.

What is Digital Switchover?

The Digital Switchover is a process of transitioning copper based landlines to digital telephone systems using fibre connectivity instead of the retiring copper network. This change will see landline phone services wholly depend on broadband and digital technology rather than the historic analog signals via copper.

The retirement of the landline and copper network is scheduled nationally to be complete by January 2027. However, some providers are accelerating the transition to begin retiring the network from the end of 2025.

How will it affect me?

The transition to digital voice should be seamless and a process managed and supported by your telecoms provider. However, moving to Digital Voice means your calls will solely rely upon fibre connectivity instead of copper landlines. By 2027 all service providers will have had to migrate their customers to a Digital Voice service. In some instances, you may be required to have new equipment such as phone or routers in your property, but your internet service provider will discuss this with you.

If you have other home equipment which connects via your existing phone line, you may need to check the compatibility with a digital phone line service. This may include alarms, healthcare products or other analog dependant devices beyond the telephone.

What if I don’t have broadband?

If you don’t have a broadband service your network provider will supply you with a connection to support the digital landline. This will ensure premises who opt out of having broadband services, can still access a telephone line.

What happens in an emergency?

If there was to be a power-outage it is highly likely your telephone line won’t work as it is powered by mains electricity. However, some digital voice landlines do come with battery pack back-ups so it will continue to respond if it has battery back-up. It is advised that a mobile phone is used as an alternative means of making a call.

If you don’t have access to a mobile phone and solely rely upon a landline, you can discuss resilience options with your internet service provider and they will discuss with you options they can supply you with to ensure you have a safe, working back up if in the event of an outage.

Scam awareness

Unfortunately, scams are a real threat, and current reports of scamming has already taken place across the UK. Often phone calls are being received by residents alerting them of Digital Voice and “cutting off your landline if you don’t act now”.  In addition, we are aware of phishing emails and websites which are offering protection against the switchover.

This is a national scheme which will impact everyone. Therefore stop, think and seek advice. If you feel a piece of communication has been presented to you about digital switchover, always discuss the matter with your internet service provider in the first instance.

Think, Stop and Seek Advice

I have a concern, who do I contact?

In the first instance you should always contact your current internet service provider. This is the supplier who provides your existing telephone line service and broadband.