Almost half of Britain’s fixed-line telephone customers remain uninformed about the analogue network shutdown despite a January 2027 deadline for completion.
The nation’s conventional telephone infrastructure is undergoing discontinuation as operations transfer to digital platforms, requiring households equipped with landline telephones to migrate to internet-based calling services.
Research involving 2,000 adults who maintain a landline connection in their residence discovered that 53% utilise it at least once per week, yet 45% lack complete comprehension of the necessary steps required before the transition to guarantee continued functionality.
Landlines serve essential purposes for numerous households, with one in three dependent on their connection to maintain contact with relatives and acquaintances, while 29% rely on it for communication with medical and care services.
The survey further disclosed that 57% consider their landline a significant component of their home setup, and 17% indicated that international relatives and friends find calling a fixed line more economical compared to mobile networks.
The investigation was commissioned by Community Fibre, a provider delivering broadband and telephony packages enabling customers throughout London and the southeast region to transition seamlessly to a full fibre home phone solution.
Television personality Rustie Lee, who frequently uses her landline, has collaborated with the broadband supplier to promote understanding of the forthcoming changes.
She advised that the landline discontinuation represents one of the most substantial alterations to residential telephone services in recent times, urging those who have not yet transitioned to take note of several important considerations.
Her primary recommendation emphasised the importance of resisting acceptance of the initial offer presented by one’s current supplier, suggesting instead that consumers should invest time in comparing alternatives, particularly examining newer fibre broadband providers who frequently deliver considerable cost savings.
She added that the transition to a different fibre provider proves straightforward and carries no risk, as customers can retain their existing telephone numbers while the new provider manages the switch with the former supplier, ensuring uninterrupted service throughout.
The study further revealed that 48% of landline users feel uncertain about precisely what steps they must take to handle the transition effectively.
Among this group, 47% reported that they have encountered insufficient guidance regarding the changes, while 33% expressed uncertainty about precisely what measures they should undertake.
A fifth of respondents admitted they do not know which party bears responsibility for coordinating the switch, resulting in 43% expressing worry that the transition might cause service disruption, damage or complete loss.
Prior to completing the survey, which was conducted through OnePoll, 48% were unaware that the landline infrastructure, referred to as the Public Switched Telephone Network, could potentially impact household devices beyond traditional telephones.
These additional devices encompass personal safety alarms enabling elderly or vulnerable individuals to maintain independent living through links to round-the-clock emergency response centres, as well as certain residential security installations.
Rustie further recommended that individuals employing telecare alarms or alternative devices that depend on telephone lines should verify with those specific service providers whether their equipment will be impacted, rather than contacting their telephone company.
Indeed, 53% expressed concern about elderly relatives or acquaintances becoming isolated should they lose access to their landline and associated services.
A further 54% raised worries that older members of society might require extra assistance to manage the transition process effectively.
Peter Rampling, a broadband specialist at Community Fibre, observed that the shift from analogue to digital telephone services constitutes a nationwide transformation impacting millions of residences.
He noted that regrettably, numerous individuals requiring the transition may not receive information about the optimal full fibre services available from their present supplier, making it advisable to investigate alternatives thoroughly before making commitments.
He concluded that whether managing one’s own line or assisting another person, exploring different providers and switching delivers clear benefits given the current cost-of-living pressures, offering potential savings in both immediate and longer-term perspectives.