The Digital Voice landline phone service switchover programme
It is likely that everyone with a home landline phone which uses the existing analogue network will be switched by their service provider to a digital landline phone service using the broadband network sometime during the period 2025-27. This is called the Digital Voice programme.
Offcom advise that BT has taken the decision to retire its analogue network by January 2027 and 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 follow a similar timescale.
The Neighbourhood Watch organisation in co-operation with BT are running local information events for the public to spread awareness of the forthcoming change and to provide information about what it will mean for BT landline users. There is an event to be held in Chipping Norton Library, Goddards Lane, Chipping Norton OX7 5NP on Tuesday, 18 March from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. There is no need to book a place and anyone is invited to drop in.
BT say that vulnerable customers will not start being switched until at least Autumn 2025 and will be given special attention. This includes people with no mobile phone signal, people with additional needs, people with healthcare pendants or alarms, elderly people and landline only customers (i.e. customers with no broadband service)
Generally the BT message is that “the landline is not going away – it is just being upgraded”.. There will be special arrangements for customers who do not have or do not want broadband. BT say that no-one will be left disconnected.
All Together In Charlbury (ATIC) has been in touch with Neighbourhood Watch and is aiming to obtain as much information as possible about what Digital Voice will mean for landline users in Charlbury, so that we can make it available as far as we can.
Meryl Smith · Sat 15 Mar, 13:39 · Link