I’m keen to highlight BT’s Digital Voice Switchover campaign to my constituents so they are aware of the change.
The UK’s analogue copper phone network, the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) that most home phones work on today is due to be switched off for all phone providers in January 2027. Landline providers are already switching customers over to Digital technology; for households with BT, their home phone service is entitled Digital Voice and will run on the broadband network.
BT has asked MPs to make constituents aware of this change, why it is happening and what customers need to do to ensure the switchover takes place smoothly. They have highlighted how old phonelines no longer meet the connectivity standards expected in today’s digital age, and that this once in a generation upgrade is aiming to ensure that everyone can stay connected now and into the future, with additional benefits such as greater reliability, three-way calling and built-in scam blocking features.
I want to ensure that all my constituents are aware that this switchover from analogue to digital is due in January next year and that action will need to be taken now to be ready for the change once BT contact their customers across the country.
BT are offering to guide their customers through every step of the process, particularly those with additional needs, with enhanced protections including free in-home engineer visits and back-up power where needed. With calls being made over broadband, I am keen to find out more about what BT is putting in place for customers with no broadband access. So far, they have confirmed they will provide a dedicate landline service, so that people can use their landline in the same way as they do today, with no need for new equipment.
As the MP for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, some constituents have already been in contact with me to highlight concerns with power outages and emergencies. Currently, BT offer back-up power solutions in these instances, but I understand that some clarity is needed on how to manage this change from ringing 999 on a landline, and I would advise constituents to contact BT at the phone number and email below to find out more about these back-up solutions.
Finally, many of us live rurally in the constituency with poor broadband or mobile coverage and are worried about changes to digital as a result. I understand that the UK and Scottish Governments are aiming for 99% 5G coverage of the UK by 2030 and I am keen to know more about why these two target dates do not match up in terms of this major change from BT.
I want to reassure these constituents that I am in contact with BT to highlight all concerns raised with me so far and will aim to feedback more information to everyone as it comes in on this important change.
BT’s customer care team can be contacted on 0330 1234 150 or find out more information online at https://www.bt.com/about/all-ip/connected-together.
