The Analogue to Digital Switchover

The old technology that powers landline telephones in the UK will be switched off in 2025. This national project is called the Analogue to Digital Switchover.

What will happen?
By 2027, all landline telephones in the UK will be switched off. Operators will switch every landline phone in the UK to an internet-based connection instead of a traditional copper-wire landline which will be much faster and efficient. With work well underway, this change will affect homes and businesses, including Progress Lifeline equipment.

What does it mean for Progress Lifeline users?
We have updated our internal systems to be fully digital which will ensure that we can continue to safely monitor lifeline alarms. Some Lifeline units currently only operate through a traditional analogue home telephone line. If you have our analogue Lifeline equipment, your existing unit will need to be replaced with a digital equivalent so you can continue to benefit from our services.

Our team are working hard to swap all of our customers with analogue units over to digital ones. We will swap equipment during any planned maintenance visits, as well as working through lists of customers, by area, with analogue units. A member of our customer service team will be in touch with you to arrange changing your unit.

If you swap your phone line before we have been in touch, please contact us immediately so we can make sure your equipment is changed to work with your digital line. Call us on 03333 204 999.

Will you still be able to use a landline?
Yes, you will still be able to have a landline in your home. The change means the landline will use the internet to make calls, rather than old copper network (known as PSTN, or public switched telephone network). The new system is called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) but providers also have their own names for it such as BT Digital Voice.

What if I don't have an internet connection at home?
For those without a broadband connection at home, your supplier will install one. If you only want to use broadband so you can keep your landline, that's fine.

What are the benefits of the switchover?
The change will help make phone calls clearer and connections will be quicker. Maintenance and upgrades to the core telephone system will also be easier - no more digging up the roads. Overall, the new digital telephony system will help ensure the UK's landline telephone services are fit for current and future use.

What happens next?
Landline service providers may make changes before we have swapped some of our customers analogue units to the digital versions. These changes may affect the way the Lifeline works and so it is important that you notify us of any changes that are made to your landline (by your telephone provider).

Please contact us on 03333 204 999. Our customer service team is open Mon - Fri 9am until 5pm.