[Updated 12/6/24] Landline telephones have been a part of daily life in the UK for decades. But by 2027, all that will change. The traditional landline telephone network, which relies on copper wiring, will no longer be used. Instead, your house phone will use VoIP, or a digital landline, which sends your phone call over the internet.

Exactly when will landlines be phased out in the UK, and how might that affect you? Read on to get the answers to all of your questions.

Will I still have a landline after the switch to digital?

You will still have a phone line in your house, but it will work via the internet. To you, everything about dialling the phone and making a call should feel the same.

Can I use the same phone and phone number for my landline?

You will still be able to use the same phone number for your landline. You will likely be able to use the same physical phone too, although you should check. The main difference will be that your call will be sent through broadband (the internet) rather than the copper wire network. So, your landline phone will not need to plug into a phone line (although it will still need to plug into electricity and possibly an internet router).

When will my landline be phased out?

In the UK, the deadline for all landlines to be switched to broadband is the end of the 2027 calendar year. At this time, the copper landline network, officially called the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), will be switched off.

However, households may be migrated to a digital landline earlier than this date. The end of 2027 is only the absolute final date. You might be migrated earlier if the PSTN in your area is in bad shape. Rather than repairing this outdated system, your provider would migrate you to the new system.

Your landline phone provider will inform you before you are migrated from the PSTN.

What are some potential problems with the move to a digital landline?

One major issue with sending phone calls through broadband is that this phone service will not work during a power outage.

Another issue is that some devices like personal alarms for the elderly rely on a traditional landline to work. When you are migrated off the PSTN, those devices will no longer work.

What should I do if I have a personal alarm?

Checking your personal alarm

If you have an elderly personal alarm, the first thing to do is check whether your device has a component that plugs into your landline.

Older or more basic alarms are more likely to rely on a landline. They may have a “base unit” that connects to the landline.

In contrast, newer alarms like the SureSafeGO do not rely on a landline. In general, an alarm that is mobile and still works away from your house probably doesn’t use a landline.

If you aren’t sure about whether your alarm uses a landline or not, you can contact the company that provided the alarm to check.

Switching your personal alarm

If you have a personal alarm that relies on a landline, you will ultimately have to switch to a different type of alarm by the end of 2027 so that you stay protected. Watch out for communications from your phone provider to avoid being migrated earlier without knowing.

The Public Switched Telephone Network Charter

If you do use a personal alarm that relies on a landline, you may feel comforted to know that phone companies have agreed to a charter that protects older people from the negative effects of the switch. The charter includes the following point:

“No telecare users will be migrated to digital landline services without us, the customer, or the telecare company confirming that they have a compatible and functioning telecare solution in place.”

This means that phone companies understand the risks to older people who use alarms and are supposed to take these risks into consideration.

What personal alarms can I buy that won’t be affected by the migration to digital?

The SureSafeGO, the most popular product for us at SureSafe, won’t be affected by the switchover at all. That’s because this device already uses the internet to make its calls.

The SureSafeGO is a more sophisticated personal alarm for the elderly that combines a number of valuable alarm features.

It includes the core features of a one-touch button, which is a single button that alarm users can press to call for help. That’s important for times when an emergency happens, and an older person can’t get to a phone – if they have fallen to the floor, for example. It could also be helpful when landlines will be phased out in the UK. If an elderly person needs help during a power cut, the one-touch alarm on the SureSafeGO will still work.

Since falls are so risky for seniors, the SureSafeGO also includes fall detection functionality, which allows the alarm to sense when its wearer has fallen. When the alarm senses a fall, it will call for help even if the wearer is not able to press any buttons – such as if they are unconscious.

Of course, the SureSafeGO is also a mobile alarm. It works wherever you go, not just inside the house. Plus, it allows for GPS tracking. That could be useful if you get lost, and it can also be very handy if family members are just worried about an older person’s health and want to see where they are.

Personal alarm protection for the elderly

There’s a reason why SureSafe has 4.8 stars on Trustpilot. That’s because SureSafe is a UK market leader in affordable, easy-to-use personal alarms.

If you’d like to set yourself or an older loved one up with a personal alarm, feel free to call us on 0808 189 1671, use our live chat or request a call back.