Our traditional landline telephone service will no longer be available from the end of 2027.
The current analogue telephone service based on copper wire dates back to Victorian times and is becoming unreliable and difficult to maintain. At the same time Broadband technology has advanced and a process has been agreed for the existing analogue system to be replaced entirely by a digital voice service based on fibre optics.
In November 2017, the telecoms industry announced its intention to retire analogue telephone networks such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by the end of 2025. This has since been extended to the end of 2027. By then, the industry will have upgraded all landline services to new digital technology using an internet connection, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Digital Voice or All-IP telephony.
The existing PSTN service will be switched off completely in 2027 but individual telephone companies are already contacting their customers to arrange the transfer to the new digital voice service now.
In many homes mobile telephony has already replaced the traditional “home phone” landline. But if you still have a landline telephone you should be aware of major changes affecting this service.
As a reader of this eNEWS letter you already have access to the Internet and if you have a router in your home, the change will be minimal. Instead of plugging your landline phone into a wall telephone socket, you will have to plug it into the router. Depending on how long you have had your router you may need a new one with a socket available for the telephone.
Example of a modern router – the telephone lead plugs into the green socket
Most current telephones are compatible to the Digital Voice service but if you have a particularly old handset it may need to be replaced. You can also purchase a digital phone that connects automatically to the router, but this is not essential.
But for those of us not using the Internet, your telephone service provider may need to supply you with a separate device that will connect you to the new digital service. When the time comes this will be provided free of charge. There may also be issues if you have an alarm, an emergency call button or other service connected to your telephone line. In such cases you will need to contact the provider of that service for advice.
Telephone service providers will contact customers at least four weeks before they move them over to the new system but there is no set timescale apart from it all being completed by the end of 2027. You can also initiate the move yourself now if you like.
Although, as a reader of this newsletter, you should already be aware of what a router is and how it works, please ensure that any relatives and friends who may still have a stand-alone landline are made aware of these coming changes.
There are no additional costs associated with this changeover but be alert to possible scam activities surrounding this event. The telephone companies may also be encouraging their customers to upgrade to more advanced services, but this is not essential.
There is, however, one significant difference to be aware of. The current analogue phone service does not rely on a domestic power supply so works during a power cut. The new digital voice service requires power to the router and therefore will not operate if it is lost. Most of us can rely on our mobile phone in such circumstances but for those without such a service the telephony companies will have to provide an emergency back-up supply for at least one hour.
BT has provided a useful leaflet that explains the process which can be downloaded here
BT will also be holding an information event at Banstead Library on Wednesday 21st August from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm where more information will be available. This will be relevant to all landline telephone users not just BT customers. All are welcome to attend (Banstead Library, The Horseshoe, Bolters Lane, Banstead SM7 2AW).