Important: Openreach closes the copper landline network on 31 January 2027
Your landline is going digital. Here’s how to stay safe.
Openreach is closing the UK’s old copper landline network on 31 January 2027, and home phones are moving to digital lines that run over broadband. Most people only need to plug their phone into the router. But if you, or someone you care for, rely on a landline for a personal alarm or to call for help, please tell us now so we can make sure you’re safe.
31 Jan
days until Openreach closes the UK’s copper landline network
Do you need extra help?
Please tell us if any of these apply to you or someone in your home
- You have a personal alarm or telecare device, like a pendant, fall detector or a careline that calls for help.
- You don’t have a mobile phone, or there’s no mobile signal at home.
- You rely on your landline to call 999 or a carer, doctor or family member.
- You’re older, disabled or have a health condition, or you live alone.
- You use other equipment on your phone line, like a lift line, a monitored burglar alarm or a text phone.
What we’ll do for you
- Put you on our priority list, so we never move your line without speaking to you first.
- Check your alarm or telecare equipment will work on a digital line before anything changes.
- If you have no other way to call 999 in a power cut, give you a free back-up solution that keeps emergency calls working for at least an hour.
- Give you priority repairs if something goes wrong.
Worried about a parent or relative? You can tell us on their behalf. We’ll check with them before we make any changes.
What’s changing
What the switch to digital means at home
Your phone plugs into your router
Instead of the wall socket, your phone plugs into your broadband router or a small adaptor. You keep your number, and calls sound the same or better.
Power cuts work differently
Old landlines kept working in a power cut. Digital phones need power at home, so they stop in a cut unless you have a battery back-up. A charged mobile is the simplest back-up.
Alarms may need checking
Personal alarms, telecare and some burglar alarms use the phone line. Ask the company that supplies yours whether it works on a digital line, and tell us you have one.
Your provider will contact you
You don’t need to do anything until your phone provider gets in touch. Or you can move now with our digital Home Phone and keep your number.
Questions
Landline switch-off questions
Will I keep my phone number?
Yes. When you move to our digital Home Phone, you keep your number.
Do I have to have broadband?
Digital home phones work over a broadband connection. If you don’t have or want broadband, call us on 0333 004 0180 and we’ll explain your options.
What happens to my phone in a power cut?
A digital phone stops working in a power cut unless it has a battery back-up. Keep a charged mobile phone handy if you can. If you rely on your landline and have no other way to call 999, tell us and we’ll provide a free back-up that keeps emergency calls working for at least an hour.
I have a personal alarm. What should I do?
Tell us, and contact the company that supplies your alarm to check it will work on a digital line. We won’t move your line until we know your alarm is safe.
Someone called saying my line will be cut off. Is it real?
Be careful. Scammers use the switch-off to frighten people into paying or sharing bank details. If you’re not sure, hang up and call us on 0333 004 0180 from a different phone.
Move to a digital Home Phone now
Keep your number, choose a cordless phone or adaptor, and see the full price before you order.