BT is pulling the plug on traditional landlines for millions of its customers.
The telecoms provider is continuing its plan to replace traditional home phones with digital phones.
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It is part of BT’s Digital Voice Changeover plan and means that all households will have to have an internet connection.
Households will be invited to make the switch to a digital service on a region-by-region basis.
Homes across the country, including in Salisbury and Mildenhall have already moved earlier this year.
Yorkshire and the Humber switched in August and those in Northern Ireland will make the move by the end of this month.
Now BT has revealed list of regions affected next – and when they will switch over.
These people will be contacted “at least” four weeks in advance to ensure they are ready.
Here’s the full list of remaining regions and the dates they’ll be switching over:
Autumn 2023
Spring 2024
- West Midlands
- South East
- Wales
- East Anglia
Summer 2024
- North East
- Scotland
- South West
Everything that is connected to phone lines will need to be reviewed such as door entry systems and alarms.
In addition, customers who are ready and keen to make the switch to a digital landline can also contact the telecom giant and do so at any given time.
BT launched its Digital Voice programme back in 2019, with the plan being deemed controversial.
For the vast majority of customers, the move to Digital Voice simply involves connecting a landline phone to a broadband router.
The firm said that more than 99% of handsets are compatible with BT’s digital home phone service.
Just under 10million lines still need to move to the new system before BT switches off the old analogue system for good in December 2025.
Earlier this month BT revealed that any new customers will no longer be offered traditional phones.
On top of that, any existing customers who switch to a new BT deal will get a digital rather than traditional landline.
What if I’m vulnerable?
BT has told The Sun that for now it won’t be proactively switching customers who fall under a number of categories.
This included households with:
- Customers with a healthcare pendant
- Customers who are over 70
- Customers who only use landlines
- Customers with no mobile signal
- Customers who have disclosed any additional needs
According to BT, these customers will be delayed from switching as work continues with stakeholder groups to build confidence in the new solutions it has.
Certain devices people use at home, such as care alarms, security alarms and fax machines may also be connected you your landline and could be affected by the switch.
If you have a device like this, it might need to be replaced or reconfigured to continue working once you move to a digital landline service.
According to regulator rules, your provider should tell you what you need to do if you have one of these devices.
This will include informing your alarm provider so they can make the necessary changes or tell you if your alarm will work with your new service.
Those who only rely on a landline phone service and don’t have access to a mobile phone must be offered a solution from their telecom provider to stay connected during power cuts.
This could include a mobile phone (if you have a signal), or a battery backup unit for your landline phone.
Ofcom says that these solutions must be provided free of charge to people who are dependent on their landline only.
But if you aren’t eligible for free support, your provider must signpost you to a retailer that stocks what you’ll need.
What if I’m not with BT?
BT has taken the decision to retire its dated landline system by December 2025.
But this means other providers that use BT’s network must follow the same timescale.
Other companies with their own networks such as Virgin Media plan to follow a similar programme which will have its own timescale.
To find out when you’ll need to take action, contact your own landline provider directly.
Meanwhile, another major broadband provider has launched a cheaper tariff to support people on Universal Credit.
Plus, here’s how to beat rip-off broadband and mobile bills and save £900 a year with little-known tricks.
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