How the digital switchover or ‘landline switch off’ could affect you
Between now and 2025, Openreach is removing all old analogue lines, or public switched telephone networks (PSTN), to a fully digital network across the UK.
This means that most telephone providers will be moving their customers from an old analogue line, over to a new digital service such as fibre.
Changes have already started in some areas across the UK.
Telephone providers should contact all their customers to make them aware of the changes, and move their customers onto the new digital services by November 2025.
The PSTN is a privately owned analogue telecoms network, and the decision to upgrade it was taken by the telecoms industry.
It will be replaced by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, which carries voice calls as data, using an internet connection.
How will it affect me and what do I need to do?
This will affect everyone, whether that is in your home as a resident, or as part of your business.
It won’t just affect voice telephony services, it will also impact other analogue line technology you may use.
Your telecoms provider (Virgin Media, BT, etc.) should contact you before the switchover, to check in and discuss what you need to do to ensure your service isn’t interrupted.
However, we’re encouraging everyone to know what to expect.
What technology and services are impacted?
It’s not just your phone services you need to think about. It’s everything else that currently uses the old phone network, see some examples below:
- all your non-voice services which are connected to PSTN or ISDN lines.
- alarms e.g. building or personal
- EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) machines
- payment lines
- door entry systems
- CCTV
- fax machines
- Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)
Your provider will be able to confirm what services you currently use, that will be impacted by these changes.
If you're worried about a family member or friend, who might be impacted by the digital switch, then you should contact their provider directly.
In an emergency
Digital landlines cannot carry an independent power connection like the old analogue lines, so in the event of a power cut they will not work without mains power.
For more information:
This switch-off is being undertaken by Openreach, and your telephone provider, therefore the Council are unable to assist you directly with any queries.
For more information, please contact your telephone provider and/or visit Openreach’s main page:
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