No need to worry – the landline is here to stay (Picture: Getty Images)
Millions of BT customers are set to see a change to their phone services as the company plans a massive overhaul by the end of next year.
The telecoms giant, which has around 30 million UK customers, is switching off its traditional analogue landlines and upgrading to an internet-based service.
The change impacts all telecoms services which use BT’s network, and anyone who will be impacted by the change will be contacted to explain the changes.
BT has reassured its customers that ‘the landline is here to stay’, with the change having ‘no impact’ on how most people use their phones.
The switchover has already begun and it’s hoped that everyone will be using digital phone services by the end of 2025.
Despite a shift away from landline usage in recent years, millions of people, particularly the elderly, rely on them to communicate with the outside world.
All customers will be switched to the new service by the end of 2025 (Picture: Getty Images)
Since last September, customers who begin or renew contracts with BT have been switched to the internet-based service.
When asked if people have to switch to the new digital service, BT told Birmingham Live: ‘We aim to finish the upgrade by 2025 and you’ll be switched over from your home phone service to Digital Voice when it’s available to you.
‘As your household becomes more connected, we’re bringing all our technologies together onto one smart network to improve the quality of the service you get from us. Digital Voice is our next generation home phone service.
‘We’re upgrading our network to enable future technologies and to make it easier for you to connect on any device at home or on the go. Over the coming years we’ll roll out this new home phone service to our customers across the UK.
‘For most households, upgrading to Digital Voice will have no impact on how you use your phone today.
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‘Digital Voice will give you the same reliability, trust and familiarity of your current home phone service and it will enable new benefits and features, such as crystal clear calls and the ability to block nuisance calls at the touch of a button.’
Anyone who depends on their landline or uses a telecare device connected to a phone line – such as a pendant, fall detector, or personal lifeline alarm – should notify the provider to find out how the change might affect them.
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