BT is axing traditional landlines for 200,000 customers within weeks – see if your area is affected
BT is axing traditional home phones for thousands of customers in the latest round of switches.
The telecoms giant is taking the next step with its plan to replace standard landlines with digital phones.
It's all part of BT's Digital Voice Changeover plan and requires all households to have an internet connection.
The switch from analogue to digital landlines will see the decades-old, analogue equipment replaced with more digital technology.
The move comes as part of an industry-wide shift from analogue to digital landlines, where calls are made over a broadband line.
It will see BT and nearly all other landline customers in the UK, including Virgin Media O2, make the switch by the end of 2025.
READ MORE IN MONEY
Households are being invited to make the switch to a digital service on a region-by-region basis.
The firm has already begun moving millions of households over.
Homes across the UK, including in Salisbury and Mildenhall have already moved in the summer of 2023.
Yorkshire and the Humber switched in August and those in Northern Ireland made the move in September.
Most read in Money
Those in Greater London and the North West also began moving in November and December.
BT has now confirmed that homes in the West Midlands are the next to be switched over.
Each household is given four weeks' notice in advance to ensure they're ready.
BT previously revealed the list of regions which are up next - and when they will switch over.
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.
Last year, 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, such as if you receive telecare, like a personal alarm.
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
As of December, all non-voluntary migrations have been halted temporarily where there is any risk that a customer's telecare service won't continue to work, so these customers won't get swapped until you choose to.
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.
The company will be holding events in local areas in the West Midlands in February to speak to customers about voluntarily swapping to the Digital Voice scheme.
The following regions are on the list for townhall events:
- South East in March
- Wales in April
- East Anglia in May
- North East in June
- Scotland in July
- South West in September
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.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Elsewhere, major energy firms have been ranked from best to worst, with rivals said to be "miles apart".
And, millions of BT, EE and Three customers are set to be hit with huge bill hikes this spring.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Facebook group to share your tips and stories.