Openreach confirms UK landlines go digital on 31st January 2027, with no delays

[JunkyardDog]

The old copper phone network in the UK is finally reaching the end of the line. The Register reports that Openreach will retire the public switched telephone network on 31 January 2027 and says there will be no further postponements

The date had already slipped at least once, after the government asked providers not to force vulnerable customers onto new systems before problems with telecare alarms were fixed. The switch off is part of the move to all digital, fibre based networks

Many systems still rely on the old lines, including card payment terminals, fire and security alarms, and personal care alarms used by elderly and vulnerable people. Customers who want to keep a home phone can plug it into a broadband router for a digital voice service. Those without fibre will probably move to a product called SOTAP for Analog, which installs equipment at the local exchange so the old line keeps working

Openreach has also roughly doubled the rental for legacy business lines compared with last year. James Lilley, its director of all IP, said businesses that delay are making things harder for themselves. Analyst Paolo Pescatore called for letters, calls and door to door help for older people, and Caroline Abrahams of Age UK said nobody relying on a landline or telecare should be left behind

Moving to digital phone lines is overdue, and copper networks are expensive to maintain. The real risk is people who do not know the change is coming, especially those relying on care alarms. Public awareness appears to be low, so the next three months of communication will matter a great deal

Are you ready for the digital switchover? And is enough being done to protect vulnerable people?

Landline phones will switch off across Britland in 100 days, no extensions - Openreachwww.theregister.com

[Max_42]

My parents still have a landline with a normal phone plugged in. They have no idea any of this is happening. Plenty of older people are probably in the same position. Letters alone will not reach them. Rural shops may be hit hardest