This new home phone service forms the next phase of the company’s preparations for the industry-wide shift from analogue to digital landlines, where calls are made over a broadband line.
Following successful pilots in Salisbury (Wiltshire) and Mildenhall (Suffolk), BT announced plans earlier this year to start contacting customers on a phased region-by-region basis across the country.
Starting with the East Midlands in July, Yorkshire and the Humber in August and Northern Ireland in September, customers are contacted at least four weeks in advance before making the switch, to ensure that they are ready to move to Digital Voice.
BT has announced the remaining regions and nations set to make the switch over the next year:
- Autumn 2023
- North West
- London
- Spring 2024
- West Midlands
- South East
- Wales
- East Anglia
- Summer 2024
- North East
- Scotland
- South West
Throughout the programme, BT will be contacting some broadband customers in England and inviting them to switch their landline to Digital Voice in advance of local and regional campaigning in their area.
Alex Tempest, managing director, BT Wholesale explained that while Digital Voice is being introduced to support BT's consumer customers, it should act as another reminder to the channel that the December 2025 PSTN switch-off is fast approaching.
She added, “Openreach has recently taken steps to end the sale of new analogue services across the UK which is a massive step forward for the nation’s infrastructure, but what does it mean for channel partners?
“Simply put, when your customers who have access to broadband sign up for a new contract – or when they switch, upgrade or re-grade their service via their provider – they’ll be moved onto a new digital landline rather than an analogue one. Customers without broadband will not be switched to a digital landline until they are able to.
“To support customers through the major upgrade, we need to work together. That’s why BT will install new equipment in the local telephone exchange that allows customers to use their phone in the same way as they do today. This temporary solution will keep customers connected until they are able to make the switch to all-IP.”
Tempest emphasised BT wants to ensure “a seamless switch over” to internet-based networks that will connect people, businesses and public services for the next century.
She explained, “We all have a duty of care and commercial obligation to educate customers on the move – whether that’s about the scale, sharing resources or providing tailored migration support.
“Alongside government, Ofcom, telecoms providers, charity partners and key industry groups, BT Wholesale is working hard to ensure that customers are at the heart of every decision we make. By acting now, we are all investing in the future of the UK and building the digital economy.”