Are you aware that the UK’s Telephone Network is going digital?

Arguably one of the biggest social projects since the ‘analogue TV switch off’ over 10 years ago, the UK's Telephone Network is also going digital, with plans to switch off the old copper network by the end of 2025.

For most people, the switch to digital will be as straightforward as connecting their home phone handset to their router rather than the phone socket on the wall, however there are many within our communities (in particular older people) that don’t currently have access to broadband and/ or who have additional vulnerabilities that could be impacted by the move.

Concerned about raising awareness of this switch, Bromsgrove Forum for Older People is partnering with Age UK BRWF to host an informal drop-in Information/ Q&A Event on Wednesday 15th May 2024, 12-2pm. The event will be held at Age UK BRWF’s High Street Charity shop (113 High Street, B61 8EZ) and is being supported by members of BT’s Digital Voice team, who will be available to provide more information about the switch and to respond to people’s individual questions and concerns.

Landlines are not the only things in our homes supported by the copper phone network – it also supports telecare and healthcare devices, plus burglar alarms. A representative from NEW Lifeline will also be supporting the event on 15th May to speak to people about the solutions that they have implemented to ensure that their telecare devices will work with digital phone services.

Speaking about the event, Mary Rowlands, Secretary of the Bromsgrove Forum for Older People said, ‘It is really important that people are aware that this change is happening. I would encourage anybody that has any questions or concerns to come along and speak with the representatives from the BT Digital Voice team so that they can fully understand how this will affect them and what they need to do’.

For more information about the digital switch over, BT has set up the following webpage www.bt.com/digital-voice. The national Age UK team has also published a range of helpful information on its website