BT will put an end to landline phones by 2025 in what they call ‘The BT Switch Off’.
A new ‘digital’ phone powered by electricity requiring an internet connection to make calls will be favoured instead of a landline.
Branded the ‘Digital Voice’ BT has already started the process of switching off their traditional phone lines the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network).
According to watchdog Ofcom, roughly 1.5million or 6% of homes in the UK do not have access to the Internet.
The move has caused concern for charities who represent the elderly or vulnerable saying they could be left isolated by the switch.
Jan Shortt, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, said: “If there is a power cut, this digital phone line will no longer work – and a potential lifeline for elderly people will be suddenly lost,”
“Those needing to make an emergency call or raise an alarm via a health pendant could be left stranded – and unable to call anyone to ask for life-saving support.”
A BT spokesperson said: “We’re rolling this upgrade out in a staggered way. Customers who only have a landline will not be upgraded to Digital Voice until the latter part of 2023, and will not have to take a broadband service unless they want it.”
