London has the highest proportion of traditional phone lines still to migrate among ten of the UK’s largest city areas, according to new figures from Openreach.
New data shows that 235,934 traditional phone lines across London and the surrounding area are still to be converted to digital services as the UK moves closer to the switch-off of the old analogue telephone network.
The figure represents 12.92% of the 1.8 million lines recorded across the area in 2020 – the highest proportion remaining among the ten major UK city areas analysed by Openreach.
The change means traditional landlines, where calls have been carried over the traditional phone network, are being replaced by digital landlines. With a digital landline, calls are carried using an internet connection instead.
For most households, this means their home phone will need to connect to their broadband router, either directly or using an adapter. In many cases, people can continue using their existing phone and keep their current number.
The old analogue landline network is due to be switched off on 31 January 2027.
Phonely, a UK residential digital landline provider, is encouraging London households that still use a traditional landline to check what the change means for them rather than leaving preparations until the last minute.
Bryn Thompson, Director at Phonely, said:
“Nearly a quarter of a million lines is still a significant number, particularly with the January deadline getting closer.
“For many households, moving to a digital landline can be relatively straightforward, but there will be people who are unsure about what the change means or who rely heavily on their home phone.
“We’d encourage people to check in with parents, older relatives or anyone they know who depends on their landline, particularly if they use a personal alarm or other equipment connected to the phone line. A quick conversation now can make sure they understand what is changing and have the right support in place.
“Our advice is not to panic, but not to ignore the change either. Speak to your current provider, find out whether your line has already been moved to digital and ask what you need to do if it hasn’t.”
According to Openreach, more than 90% of legacy lines across the ten major cities and their surrounding areas included in its analysis have already migrated to digital alternatives. However, more than 600,000 lines remain to be converted.
For households still using a traditional landline, Phonely recommends:
• Check whether your phone service is already digital. If you are unsure, contact your current provider.
• Don’t assume you need to replace your telephone. Many existing home phones can continue to be used with a digital service, sometimes with an adapter.
• Ask about keeping your existing number. In most cases, households can retain their current telephone number when moving to a digital service.
• Check telecare and connected equipment. Personal alarms, health monitoring devices and other equipment connected to the phone line should be checked for compatibility.
• Think about power cuts. Unlike a traditional analogue landline, digital phone services require power in the home, so anyone who relies on their landline should ask their provider about available backup options.