Landline telephone digital switchover

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.

This means services that rely on the old landline system such as home phones and healthcare devices will be switched over.

How it may affect you

The good news is – your landline isn’t going anywhere and for most consumers and businesses, this change will be straightforward. In fact, many customers are already making the switch when they upgrade to full fibre broadband.

Your telecoms provider (such as Virgin Media or BT) should contact you before the switchover to check in and discuss what you need to do to make sure your service isn’t affected. However, we’re encouraging everyone to know what to expect.

If you have an internet connection, the change may be as simple as plugging your phone into your broadband router rather than the socket on the wall.

If you or someone you know depends on their landline or uses a telecare device connected to a phone line (such as a fall monitor, lifeline, or personal alarm), you should notify your communications provider (the provider of this service) so that they can advise on how the switch could affect you.

Ostara customers

In terms of Ostara products in customer’s homes, Ostara is only installing digital base units for new customers and is progressing a swap out program to ensure that by 2025 there will be no remaining analogue equipment.  Currently 66% of all Ostara on site equipment is now digital. The units themselves have 72-hour battery back-up and have 4G roaming sim connectivity – ensuring mitigation against risk of electric mains power cut or landline issues.

This process is being actively managed by the council and it is planned that by March 2025 the service will be fully digital – well in advance of the switch off date of integrated services digital network (ISDN) networks.

Housing Plus

The Housing Plus schemes (sheltered and assisted living) are also being upgraded to ensure they can operate when the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and ISDN networks are switched off. 

This work is well underway and involves either upgrading software in existing systems or installing a digital convertor meaning existing systems will work in the digital network beyond 2025.  

If you have other devices connected to your phone line, such as alarm systems, you might need to upgrade your device to make sure it is compatible. If you are unsure about how a device in your home or business might be affected, it is recommended you contact the equipment supplier or device manufacturer to find out whether it will remain functional on a digital phone line.

In an emergency

Digital landlines cannot carry a power connection, so in the event of a power cut they will not work. 

If you have a mobile phone this can still be used, but if you’ve no other means of calling the emergency services your telecoms provider will offer a solution to allow calls to be made to emergency services.