There are now fewer than 100 days until one of the biggest changes ever to the way UK homes make calls. Copper cables that have kept us all connected with family and friends are being switched off for good and replaced by a technology called Digital Voice. This system uses broadband for calls and offers improved features including clearer quality and better spam protection. The update also makes sure phones are ready for the future.
It’s a major change but despite plenty of warning, it appears many UK homes aren’t ready for the switch. In fact, new research from the team at Broadband Genie has found almost half of people asked were completely in the dark about what’s coming soon to their home phone.
More worrying, 1 in 7 households who have received updates or notifications from their provider admit they have actively ignored them. That’s a bad idea, as those who haven’t got things ready could find they lose access to calls after January 2027.
“The market has had almost a decade to prepare for this transition, yet millions are facing a last-minute scramble,” said Alex Tofts, strategist at Broadband Genie.
“While change isn’t always comfortable, it’s necessary. Parts of the legacy copper network installed under our pavements have been there since the 19th Century. Full fibre is the future, it’s faster, more reliable and easier to maintain.
“Taking a few minutes now to check your options will ensure a seamless transition and prevent any last-minute loss of service.”
New advice from the broadband comparison site has also been issued, and those who have been dragging their heels should take a few minutes to follow the tips. Firstly, the firm says it’s a good idea to look at the phone and make sure it’s plugged into the router and not the old box on the wall.
“Your old wall socket is going dead. If you have a home landline and want to keep using it, unplug the cable from the wall and plug it into your router,” Tofts explained.
“Most phones are compatible with this.”
Next, it’s vital to make sure you and other family members have a backup. Broadband needs electricity to work, and if there’s a power cut, the phone will be taken offline. So, homes must have access to a mobile to feel safe and avoid worrying about losing phone line access.
Some users can also ask for a backup from their provider, so it’s worth checking.
“One downside of digital voice is that it won’t work in a power cut,” Tofts confirmed.
“If you don’t have a mobile phone or if you live in an area without a reliable mobile signal, get in touch with your provider. Battery backups for such an event are available, and your provider should be able to provide these.”
Other things to be aware of are personal and home alarms. If these use a phone line, it’s important to make sure they are ready for Digital Voice.
Finally, now is a good time to check what deal you are getting from your broadband provider and see what savings can be made.
Digital Voice needs full fibre access to work and switching to this technology could actually save some money if you shop around.
“Some broadband customers may receive notification that their deal will be migrated over to full fibre,” said Tofts.
“Your provider will honour your existing deal, but you’ll almost certainly be able to get something cheaper. This is the perfect opportunity to compare broadband deals available in your area. Some customers will be able to save up to £452 a year.”
