Landline phone services are currently being phased out and replaced by Digital phone services.
"There are a million UK voice-only customers, some of whom will not have any access to broadband. People in this group are more likely to be older, financially vulnerable, not working or from lower socioeconomic groups."
Source: Which? See link at bottom of this article.
Should you be concerned?
Maybe if one of the categories listed below applies to you.
A recent article published by Which? (see link at bottom of this article) may offer some reassurance as well as some useful advice.
You care for a vulnerable individual
The UK government has asked broadband providers to help ensure vulnerable customers have access to emergency services during power outages.
Example: Virgin Media is providing those who need it a device with its own battery that allows the landline phone to connect to mobile phone services.
Note: experience tells us that some broadband providers are more helpful than others in this regard :(
Your IP is changing several times per week or even per day
This was our experience until we recently changed broadband provider.
Digital phone services only work when you re connected to the Internet.
The connection is broken when your broadband provider changes your IP (internet protocol) address.
Your smartphone does not support 4G services
2G and 3G service in the UK are in the process of being phased out.
You use a healthcare device or a home monitoring system
"The copper phone network supports thousands of personal alarms and home monitoring systems that allow disabled people and those who are older or have health problems to access help if they need it. There are 1.8 million people using these telecare devices in the UK."
Source: Which? See link at bottom of this article.
You live in a remote location
"While phone services will no longer use the copper network by the end of 2027, the aim is for full fibre coverage to reach 85% in 2025."
Source: Which? See link at bottom of this article.
You experience frequent power outtages
The major benefit of the analogue phone services being phased out is that they still work even after a power outtage.
Digital phone services don't.
Learn more
Read the article recently published by Which? at the link below.
Digital Voice and the landline phone switch-off
Related News
Virgin Media fined £24m for leaving vulnerable customers 'at risk of harm'
1 December 2025.
Virgin Media has been fined £23.8m for leaving thousands of customers without access to lifesaving telecare alarms during the digital switchover.
Read more: BBC report Virgin Media fined £24m
More about WYNCHCO Solutions
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Ken Edwards - Company Founder
We help and support managers responsible for Joomla! CMS websites in UK business and third sector organisations which subscribe to WYNCHCO Joomla! CMS Help and Support.
We support organisations in Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, and the North West region from our office in Warrington. If you are based in the UK but outside the North West, we can still help.
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