Blog: It’s a landline phone, but not as we know it…

I know that most people have mobile phones these days but there are some of us that still have a landline telephone. So this note is for those people who need to know some changes are coming…

As with most things, landline phones are also gradually becoming digital. It’s slightly complicated to explain, but basically the current “phoneline” is old, and harder and more expensive to maintain, so it needs to be replaced. This change will ensure we continue to have a reliable home phone service.

The new digital service will be provided through broadband (this is annoying but broadband is becoming very common now), this means that landline telephones will no longer plug straight into a telephone socket on the wall but through a device called a router (these little boxes essentially transmit telephone signals and internet information to mobile phones, tablets, computers etc.).

There are two options for how they can become digital:

1. The landline telephone will plug into the router itself, maybe through an adaptor.
   
2. Your provider will offer the option to plug the landline into a transmitter which plugs into the wall  (the transmitter can be in the same room near the router, or it can be in another room from the router).

You will have to purchase the adaptors or transmitters from your telephone company, who will advise you how to set everything up for your own situation.

There will also of course be a charge for having broadband and people will have to pay extra for any landline connection to the router. There are different packages available for this but speak to your provider or check out a comparison website to see what deals are out there.

When the time comes for your landline phone to be upgraded, you should talk to your provider about your circumstances and how the service will work for you. For example, if you need extra help to change your service over, if you are dependent on your landline phone to make calls in a power cut, or if you use equipment connected to your phone line such as a telecare or burglar alarm.

The BT package is called Digital Voice, and they can be contacted on 0800 800 150 about digital landline packages. They might also offer a package for landlines only, without using the

internet or mobile phones, which could be cheaper.

EE don’t offer a landline package, they refer customers to BT.

People who are vulnerable or with a disability etc can get extra help from the telephone company, if they notify the company about their challenges.

These changes make landline telephones more complicated! But don’t forget  to ask for advice from your telephone company, and any telephone engineer who visits!