Annie
26th Sep 2024
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Digital landlines will be in every home by February 2027. Did you know that? It’s something that’s been kept pretty quiet, but it’s happening. All analogue (PSTN) landlines are planned to be switched off in 2027 – so the big switchover could start as early as December 2025. Here’s what you need to know.
What About Alarms and Telehealth?
Can I Opt Out of a Digital Landline?
What Is a Digital Landline?
Traditional landlines are copper wire and called PSTN lines. Digital landlines make use of the fibre broadband network. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calls aren’t a new thing. If you’ve ever used Skype – that’s it! Or maybe you use Wifi calling from your mobile phone. Same thing! The new landlines will be routed through your broadband router. Some companies (like EE) already only provide digital landlines, to make sure that new customers are not put onto legacy systems that will be out of date in two years. BT and TalkTalk still offer analogue landline-only packages, for now.
This, of course, means most people think they will have to have an internet connection to their home. That, in turn, isolates many people, who either don’t want or cannot afford a broadband connection.
But don’t worry! If you only want a landline and no broadband, and your current landline provider (like BT) tells you that it’s time to switch, they will provide equipment for a landline-only connection. So, your landline will be digital but you do not need to pay for an internet connection too.
What Will It Cost?
You don’t have to change providers and your contract cost won’t change. If you decide that you will just use wifi calling on your mobile phone instead of wanting a landline, when it’s time to renew your contract, simply remove the landline element of your broadband package so you’re not paying for something you don’t use.
Will My Phone Number Change?
No, you can port your existing landline number over to your digital landline. Your service provider will do this for you.
Does a Digital Landline Work Without Power?
Unfortunately, the big problem with digital landlines is that they can’t work without electricity. This means that if there is a power outage, the phone won’t work. For many people this is not a problem as mobile phones can still work – but not everyone has or can afford a mobile phone.
There are battery pack options available for digital landlines. These will keep them operating for a short time, for use in an emergency. If you are landline-only without the internet or mobile signal (such as in a rural area), your network provider is supposed to provide one for emergency support.
What About Alarms and Telehealth?
Personal fall alarms and telehealth equipment rely on the landline to work. There is a clear discrepancy between the need for the landline to work even in power cuts for these systems, and the fact digital landlines won’t work in this instance.
There does not seem to yet be much of a plan to get around this. However, providers for vulnerable customers will be assessing the need for alarm systems and telehealth appliances to remain on analogue as long as possible. Once the line switches over, however, alternative technology will be required. This could mean that people will need to pay for new systems if the old ones cannot be made compatible or the service provider is not able to supply an alternative. There is a PTSN charter to which service providers have signed up, which states they will seek to at least install battery power ‘beyond’ Ofcom’s recommendation of a minimum one hour. However, there is no legal requirement to do so and no clear plan how this will all take place yet.
What Do I Need to Do?
Nothing – yet. Your service provider will be in touch when digital landlines are being set up in your area. You might, actually, already have a digital landline – less than half of UK landlines are still analogue.
If you don’t want to have broadband, your service provider must provide alternative technology to ensure you have a digital landline without broadband. They should also provide a battery option with ‘at least one hour’ battery life (based on Ofcom’s requirements). This could be an emergency mobile phone or a battery pack for the digital landline.
If you have a fall alarm system at home that links to your telephone, or you use telehealth aids, you will need to get in touch with the system provider to find out more about their plans for the switch.
Can I Opt Out of a Digital Landline?
Unfortunately, no. The only way to not have a digital landline, come 2027, will be to not have a telephone. The old analogue (PTSN) system will be switched off – so your old phone won’t work.
You don’t have to have a digital landline if you have internet, however. You will still be able to choose whether you want a broadband only, or a broadband and landline package.
