Latest news with #landline
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Warning to anyone with UK landline as huge change means it will stop working for good – are you affected?
LANDLINE users have been warned that a major change is coming to UK phone lines, with 137 UK areas the latest places to be affected. Telephone providers are upgrading the landline network from analogue to digital, meaning that phone calls will be carried over a broadband connection instead of through copper wires. 1 Many other countries, such as Estonia and the Netherlands, have already made this change, and the UK aims to have the majority of the system switched off by January 2027. The change is being made as fibre optic broadband networks are much faster, more reliable and easier to maintain. BT's Stop Sell list BT's Openreach service has just announced 137 new locations on its Stop Sell list. This means that the majority of homes in these areas already are connected to Ultra-Fast full fibre broadband. Customers in these areas who want to upgrade or switch their phone service will have to do so through broadband, instead of copper wires. Landline users are given 12 months' notice of the changes, so the 137 areas on the list have until July 2026 before they are officially put on the Stop Sell list. James Lilley, Openreach's Managed Customer Migrations Manager, said: 'The stop sell programme is a critical part of ensuring that the UK's communication infrastructure is ready to meet the demands of the future. "Taking advantage of the progress of our Full Fibre build and encouraging people to upgrade where a majority can access our new network is the right thing to do as it makes no sense, both operationally and commercially, to keep the old copper network and our new fibre network running side-by-side. "As copper's ability to support modern communications declines, the immediate focus is getting people onto newer, future proofed technologies." The new technology, called Digital Voice, will have better call quality and a number of other features, such as three-way calling and call diversion. Android users warned as major brand shuts down phone business What do customers have to do? For most customers the move to Digital voice will simply involve connecting a landline phone to a broadband router. BT said that more than 99% of handsets are compatible with its digital home phone service. Customers who are not vulnerable or landline only are being switched nationally across the UK. The company will contact all customers at least four weeks before they are due to switch to make sure they are ready to move to a digital landline. Full list of 137 new locations on the Stop Sell list Glarryford, Aghadowey, Pomeroy, Clogher, Fintona, Dromore/Tyrone, Drumquin, Ashby De La Zouch, Freeland, Adderbury, Broomfield, Woodham Ferrers, Framingham, Newhaven, Sacriston, Hoghton, Penrith, Dalston, New Brancepeth, Annbank, Newton Stewart, Ballingry, Lockerbie, Chudleigh, Milford Haven, Bala, Llandrindod Wells, Stourport, Fernhill Heath, Kessingland, Teversham, Silsoe, Saint Faith, Great Dunmow, Girton, Dymchurch, Shildon, Whitley Bridge, Whaley Bridge, Pencaitland, Durrington, Romsey, Plymstock, Midsomer Norton, Forden, Alsager, Haslington, Dyserth, Sandbach, Stonehouse, Hengoed, Amlwch, Pershore, Menai Bridge, Llandovery, Manningtree, Dickleburgh, Chestfield, South Milford, Dolgellau, Avebury, Lockeridge, Newton Tracey, Ogbourne St George, Sandon, Llanbedrog, Llanfrynach, Eskdalemuir, Long Bredy, Berriedale, Sanday, Llandyrnog, Dolwen, Dolgarrog, Chapelton, Pennyghael, Ulva Ferry, Buckland St Mary, Bishopswood, Hawick, Tottington, Eastwood, Purfleet, Locks Heath, Hook, Felling, Southbourne, St Austell, Stubbington, Lynemouth, Starcross, Loughborough, Easton, Wolverhampton, Ashford, Uxbridge, Woodford, Smallbrook, Wood St, Aylesbury, Ingleby Barwick, Leytonstone, Stockton, Sutton In Ashfield, Washington, Worle, Darlington, Holmfirth, Bedford, Goscote, Bishops Cleeve, Wolviston, Armthorpe, Barnwood, Desborough, Coppull, Trentham, Sale, Hexton, Appley Bridge, Manningham, Stoke City, Warsop What if I am vulnerable? Last year, BT had to pause the switchover after concerns that health pendants worn by vulnerable customers would stop working when older landlines were switched off. Around 1.8 million customers use health pendants, which are emergency alarms worn around the neck. If these pendants are connected through broadband rather than a landline then they may stop working during a powercut or if the internet fails. BT has now begun contacting vulnerable customers to help them with any additional support they need. Customers who don't have broadband will also be offered a dedicated landline service, which will allow them to use their landline in the same way they do today until 2030 or once a digital solution becomes available.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Landlines to be reconnected after tractor fire
Work to restore broadband and landline services affected by a fire that broke out in a tractor is to begin next week. The blaze began in a tractor on the A484 near Llangeler, Carmarthenshire, on 18 July, before spreading to other vehicles and a house. Firefighters from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were on scene for more than three hours. Openreach said "complex" repair work would begin on Tuesday, adding: "We understand how frustrating this is and the impact it's having, so we really appreciate everyone's patience and understanding while we carry out the repairs." Tractor, house and hay bales wrecked in blaze It added its network was damaged in the fire, with overhead cables affected and broadband and landline services disrupted for some customers in the area. It said it was working closely with the council and partners to resolve the issue. "The work is complex and time-consuming, involving both fibre and copper cables, which require different specialist teams," Openreach added. Any customers experiencing issues have been asked to contact their service provider for support. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was believed to have started in a tractor but spread to a load of hay bales that were under tow. It also spread to two other vehicles, along with a nearby house, where it was confined to the kitchen and attic.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Landlines to be reconnected after Llangeler tractor fire
Work to restore broadband and landline services affected by a fire that broke out in a tractor is to begin next blaze began in a tractor on the A484 near Llangeler, Carmarthenshire, on 18 July, before spreading to other vehicles and a from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were on scene for more than three said "complex" repair work would begin on Tuesday, adding: "We understand how frustrating this is and the impact it's having, so we really appreciate everyone's patience and understanding while we carry out the repairs." It added its network was damaged in the fire, with overhead cables affected and broadband and landline services disrupted for some customers in the area. It said it was working closely with the council and partners to resolve the issue. "The work is complex and time-consuming, involving both fibre and copper cables, which require different specialist teams," Openreach customers experiencing issues have been asked to contact their service provider for support. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was believed to have started in a tractor but spread to a load of hay bales that were under also spread to two other vehicles, along with a nearby house, where it was confined to the kitchen and attic.
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Rural Berkshire back-up concerns over digital landline switch
"We're going backwards", a rural estate manager has said ahead of the switchover from analogue to Hill manages 5,000-acre Eling Estate, near Newbury in west Berkshire, and said he was concerned about a back-up plan after the switch from traditional landlines to government has said it is doing everything it can to help customers with the upgrade of the landline network across the UK, which is due to be completed by January 2027."In principle it's fine, the system works when it works," said Mr Hill. "The problem we have is that there is no back-up." 'Understandably nervous' The switchover is an industry and government initiative that started in 2017, with an original deadline of 2025 for all landline calls to travel via broadband providers and not the current copper Hill said of the estate: "When the power goes down, the internet goes down, which isn't uncommon in rural areas."You can't contact an ambulance, you can't contact family or staff." He added: "We're going backwards. They're turning things off, not on. It's crazy." The Country Land and Business Association, which supports landowners and rural companies, said it had "many, many examples of people complaining about poor phone signal or broadband".Paul Ringer, CEO of Age UK Oxfordshire, said some people were "understandably nervous" about the switch, with devices like pendant alarms currently using analogue said: "We recommend to speak up and get help, there's plenty out there. They don't need to feel alone."Things like checking compatibility, contacting your provider." Battery back-ups Phone companies are offering people help with the includes free battery back-up units for landlines and telecare devices, talking with phone providers for vulnerable customers and offering potentially free engineer visits. But Mr Hill said he believes "better rollout of mobile signal" was the solution."We need proper investment from phone companies to make good on their promise to the government for better phone signal," he said. "Until that's in place, you can't take away the fixed system."Mobile is easier, superfast broadband is great when it works. So mobile systems have to be the future." Telecoms minister Sir Chris Bryant has said previously the government is "doing everything we can" to ensure people are connected. Last month, it launched the Digital Landline Switchover Campaign, which calls for telecare users and their families to contact their landlines providers. Sir Chris said: "We are requiring all communications providers to boost their safeguards, including providing free engineer visits and battery back-ups to those that need them." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State bill would let AT&T phase out remaining landlines
A bill pending in Sacramento would give AT&T Inc. an opportunity it was denied last year to stop providing landline service to residential and commercial telephone customers in parts of Kern County and elsewhere in California. Assembly Bill 470 would remove the Dallas-based telecommunications company's obligation to keep maintaining and repairing hard-wired, copper-based landlines. Instead, the lines would be phased out and replaced by options like cellphone service, cable-based communication and voice-over internet protocol, or VoIP service. Emergency responders and groups representing rural communities have warned against allowing AT&T to do away with landlines. They say that because landlines carry their own electrical charge they are the best way to ensure remote residents retain access to communication, especially 911 service, during extended power shutoffs and emergencies such as wildfires. But AT&T, the state's biggest provider of what's called carrier-of-last-resort phone service, says the company shouldn't be forced to keep devoting money and attention to what it sees as outdated technology. It says resources are better spent building more modern, digital connections. Last year AT&T asked the California Public Utilities Commission to let the company shed its COLR responsibilities. But on June 20, after an outpouring of opposition to the proposal, the commission voted to leave the requirements in place and instead update the decades-old list of obligations such companies carry. AB 470 would largely end those responsibilities and instead, according to supporters, accelerate investment in communication technologies during a years-long modernization process. They note cellphone users are more likely to get emergency notifications containing videos, mapping information and location data. The bill was introduced by Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, D-Inglewood. Her office could not be reached for comment Friday. Spokespeople for AT&T said landline customers would keep their connections until more modern, high-speed alternatives are brought online. They said the bill includes a requirement to build more fiber optic connections to residences across the state. They noted the bill has received support from a coalition called Californians for a Connected Future. It includes a long list of organizations including three local groups — Kern Economic Development Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County and the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. On Friday, a chamber spokesman said by email the bill is aimed at modernizing California's telecommunications infrastructure and encouraging investment in future-ready technologies that are more reliable and resilient. "Many Kern County residents and businesses rely on updated wireless and broadband services to stay connected, run their operations and support emergency response efforts, needs that traditional landline services often no longer fully meet," spokesman Joel Paramo wrote. Regarding the worries of the bill's opponents, he said concerns may be misplaced if the transition away from landlines is done "thoughtfully and responsibly." "We expect that any changes would be accompanied by oversight and safeguards to ensure that communities, especially remote ones, maintain access to dependable communication networks that support public safety and emergency services," Paramo added. Groups lining up in opposition to the legislation include the California Farm Bureau Federation, several labor unions and The Utility Reform Network. TURN's telecommunications policy director, Regina Costa, has argued that one reason customers have cut their landlines is because AT&T hasn't done enough to maintain its copper-based networks, despite receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies intended to help it serve customers. She noted the VoIP service that some customers would be expected to switch to comes with vulnerabilities that landlines don't, such as susceptibility to potential cyberattacks. President Ametrius Sidney of the California Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association said in a news release residents without access to basic, reliable telephone service would be left vulnerable in emergencies when cellular or broadband networks may be unavailable. "Further, landline phones remain an essential, reliable means of accessing 911, especially during power outages, natural disasters or in areas with poor wireless coverage," she stated. The bill is scheduled for a hearing starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee.
