The Landline Switchover
The old phone system will be retired in 2027
Phone and broadband providers across the UK are switching everyone from old copper landlines to digital landlines from February 2027. This change is being made by telecom companies, not by us, but because it affects how you stay in touch during a power cut, we want to help you get ready.
How this change could affect you
Instead of plugging into the phone socket on your wall, your landline will plug into your broadband router. This new, digital landline will need mains electricity to work. That means it will stop during a power cut unless you have a backup.
Priority Services Customers
Give us an up-to-date mobile number or an additional contact so we can support you. This could be friend, relative or carer.
- Give us an up-to-date mobile number so we can text you during a power cut.
- Join our free Priority Services Register if you're elderly, disabled, or rely on power for medical equipment.
- Save 105 in your mobile phone — free, any network, 24 hours a day.
Make sure you save our dedicated Priority Services Register phone number, so you can contact us, or know its us when we can call you: 0800 032 8301.
What does this mean for power cuts?
A digital landline runs through your broadband router, and the router needs mains power to work. If your power goes off, so does your router, and so does your phone line.
There are things you can do to make sure you can still contact us in a power cut:
- Keep a mobile phone charged and topped up, so you have another way to call for help.
- Check with your phone or broadband provider whether a backup battery is available for your router.
- Ask your provider what happens to 999 calls if your landline loses power, and what backup options they offer. Keep a note of our number, 105, somewhere you can find it without power.
Join our free Priority Services Register if you're elderly, disabled, or rely on power for medical equipment.
Check your personal alarm will still work
If you, or someone you care for, uses a personal alarm, fall detector or medical pendant, it may rely on the phone line to call for help. Don't assume it will keep working after the switch to digital phone lines, or during a power cut.
Contact the company that supplies your alarm and ask them to confirm:
- that it's compatible with the new digital phone network
- what happens to it if the power goes off