Landlines in the UK are going digital. By 2025, the existing analogue technology (the PSTN - Public Switched Telephone Network) which has supported phone and broadband services for decades will be switched off and replaced with newer digital technology.
The good news is the landline isn’t going away, it’s simply being upgraded. This is a once in a generation upgrade that will see the vast majority of customers provided with a broadband line, Landline calls will be made using a handset in the same way as today but will use ‘Voice over IP’ technology that uses an internet connection. Most people have been using this type of technology for years through video or voice messaging apps used on connected mobile phones.
Digital networks will be easier to maintain and will underpin many of the new digital services for homes and businesses, providing a better service for customers.
The shift from analogue to digital phone lines is an industry wide upgrade and has already started in many countries including Germany, France, Australia and Japan.
Together with Government, Ofcom, telecoms providers and key industry groups, we’re working hard to make sure that everyone knows about the change, how they will be impacted and what they need to do as a result.
