LANDLINE users have been warned that a major change is coming to UK phone lines, with 137 UK areas the latest places to be affected.
Telephone providers are upgrading the landline network from analogue to digital, meaning that phone calls will be carried over a broadband connection instead of through copper wires.
The old landline service is being switched off[/caption]
Many other countries, such as Estonia and the Netherlands, have already made this change, and the UK aims to have the majority of the system switched off by January 2027.
The change is being made as fibre optic broadband networks are much faster, more reliable and easier to maintain.
BT’s Stop Sell list
BT’s Openreach service has just announced 137 new locations on its Stop Sell list.
This means that the majority of homes in these areas already are connected to Ultra-Fast full fibre broadband.
Customers in these areas who want to upgrade or switch their phone service will have to do so through broadband, instead of copper wires.
Landline users are given 12 months’ notice of the changes, so the 137 areas on the list have until July 2026 before they are officially put on the Stop Sell list.
James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Manager, said: “The stop sell programme is a critical part of ensuring that the UK’s communication infrastructure is ready to meet the demands of the future.
“Taking advantage of the progress of our Full Fibre build and encouraging people to upgrade where a majority can access our new network is the right thing to do as it makes no sense, both operationally and commercially, to keep the old copper network and our new fibre network running side-by-side.
“As copper’s ability to support modern communications declines, the immediate focus is getting people onto newer, future proofed technologies.”
The new technology, called Digital Voice, will have better call quality and a number of other features, such as three-way calling and call diversion.
What do customers have to do?
For most customers the move to Digital voice will simply involve connecting a landline phone to a broadband router.
BT said that more than 99% of handsets are compatible with its digital home phone service.
Customers who are not vulnerable or landline only are being switched nationally across the UK.
The company will contact all customers at least four weeks before they are due to switch to make sure they are ready to move to a digital landline.
Full list of 137 new locations on the Stop Sell list
Glarryford, Aghadowey, Pomeroy, Clogher, Fintona, Dromore/Tyrone, Drumquin, Ashby De La Zouch, Freeland, Adderbury, Broomfield, Woodham Ferrers, Framingham, Newhaven, Sacriston, Hoghton, Penrith, Dalston, New Brancepeth, Annbank, Newton Stewart, Ballingry, Lockerbie, Chudleigh, Milford Haven, Bala, Llandrindod Wells, Stourport, Fernhill Heath, Kessingland, Teversham, Silsoe, Saint Faith, Great Dunmow, Girton, Dymchurch, Shildon, Whitley Bridge, Whaley Bridge, Pencaitland, Durrington, Romsey, Plymstock, Midsomer Norton, Forden, Alsager, Haslington, Dyserth, Sandbach, Stonehouse, Hengoed, Amlwch, Pershore, Menai Bridge, Llandovery, Manningtree, Dickleburgh, Chestfield, South Milford, Dolgellau, Avebury, Lockeridge, Newton Tracey, Ogbourne St George, Sandon, Llanbedrog, Llanfrynach, Eskdalemuir, Long Bredy, Berriedale, Sanday, Llandyrnog, Dolwen, Dolgarrog, Chapelton, Pennyghael, Ulva Ferry, Buckland St Mary, Bishopswood, Hawick, Tottington, Eastwood, Purfleet, Locks Heath, Hook, Felling, Southbourne, St Austell, Stubbington, Lynemouth, Starcross, Loughborough, Easton, Wolverhampton, Ashford, Uxbridge, Woodford, Smallbrook, Wood St, Aylesbury, Ingleby Barwick, Leytonstone, Stockton, Sutton In Ashfield, Washington, Worle, Darlington, Holmfirth, Bedford, Goscote, Bishops Cleeve, Wolviston, Armthorpe, Barnwood, Desborough, Coppull, Trentham, Sale, Hexton, Appley Bridge, Manningham, Stoke City, Warsop
What if I am vulnerable?
Last year, BT had to pause the switchover after concerns that health pendants worn by vulnerable customers would stop working when older landlines were switched off.
Around 1.8 million customers use health pendants, which are emergency alarms worn around the neck.
If these pendants are connected through broadband rather than a landline then they may stop working during a powercut or if the internet fails.
BT has now begun contacting vulnerable customers to help them with any additional support they need.
Customers who don’t have broadband will also be offered a dedicated landline service, which will allow them to use their landline in the same way they do today until 2030 or once a digital solution becomes available.
