A guide to some of the technical language you might hear about the digital switchover
A
🔹 ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): A type of broadband that uses old copper telephone lines to connect to the internet. It’s being replaced with faster, more reliable digital connections.
🔹 Alarm System: A home security or emergency system that may rely on a landline. Some older alarm systems might need upgrading to work with the new digital system.
B
🔹 Broadband: A fast internet connection that allows you to browse the web, stream videos, and now, make phone calls via digital landlines.
🔹 Backup Battery: A device that keeps your digital landline working during a power cut. If you rely on your landline for emergencies, ask your provider about backup solutions.
C
🔹 Call Diversion: A feature that lets you forward incoming calls from your landline to another number, such as a mobile phone.
🔹 Caller Display: A function that shows the name or number of the person calling you if your landline phone has a screen.
🔹 Copper Phone Lines: The old telephone wires that have been used for decades. The digital switchover is about retiring and replacing these copper lines with modern digital connections.
D
🔹 Digital Landline: A new type of phone service that works through the internet instead of old copper phone lines.
🔹 Digital Switchover: The process of moving all UK landline phones from the old copper network to digital services.
🔹 Digital Voice: Another name for the process of moving all UK landline phones from the old copper network to digital services.
E
🔹 Emergency Calls: Calls to 999 will always work, even if you have no credit or mobile signal. However, digital landlines will not work in a power cut unless you have a backup battery or mobile phone.
🔹 End of PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network): The old landline network will be switched off completely by January 2027.
F
🔹 Fibre Broadband: A high-speed internet connection that replaces copper wires and enables digital phone services.
🔹 Full Fibre (FTTP – Fibre to the Premises): The fastest type of broadband, where fibre-optic cables go directly into your home.
🔹 Fraud & Scams: Scammers may pretend to be from a phone company. If someone asks for personal details or money over the phone, hang up and call your provider directly.
I
🔹 ISP (Internet Service Provider): A company that provides internet and sometimes phone services (e.g., BT, Virgin Media, Sky, TalkTalk).
L
🔹 Landline Number Retention: In most cases, you can keep your current phone number after switching to digital. Check with your phone provider.
M
🔹 Mobile Signal Backup: If your landline won’t work in a power cut, a charged mobile phone can still make emergency calls.
🔹 Multi-call Feature: Some digital landlines allow you to have multiple handsets and make more than one call at a time.
N
🔹 Number Porting: Moving your existing landline number to a new provider.
P
🔹 Power Cuts & Digital Landlines: Unlike old landlines, digital landlines do not work during power cuts unless you have a backup battery or mobile phone.
🔹 PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network): The traditional telephone system that is being phased out during the digital switchover.
R
🔹 Router: The box that connects your home to the internet. Digital landlines will be plugged into this instead of an old phone socket.
S
🔹 Scam Protection: Digital landlines often include built-in features to block scam calls and identify suspicious numbers.
🔹 Social Tariff: A discounted phone or broadband service for people on benefits or low incomes. Ask your phone provider to find out if you qualify.
T
🔹 Telecare Device: Equipment such as fall alarms, personal emergency buttons, or health monitors that might rely on landline connections. Some may need upgrading – check with your provider.
🔹 VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol): A technical term for digital phone calls made over the internet instead of traditional phone lines.
W
🔹 Wi-Fi Calling: Some mobile phones allow you to make calls using your internet connection instead of a mobile signal.
