/butterfly/ozone-business-professionals-discussing-1-1.jpg "Customer service adviser wearing a headset, supporting customers with their move to a digital phone line.")
What are digital phone lines?
Digital phone lines let you make and receive calls over a digital connection, usually through your broadband router, rather than a wall socket.
For most people, the change is likely to be straightforward. Your phone service will usually work through a broadband router, and many households will be able to keep their existing number and handset.
If your service provider contacts you about switching, don’t ignore it. Act now and avoid any last-minute issues.
What you’ll need:
- Broadband connection - your service provider will explain what option is right for you
- Router or adapter - your service provider will supply this if needed
- Your current handset - many households will be able to keep using their existing phone
If you have a phone line but don’t have broadband, your service provider will help you find the most suitable digital option for your needs.
/butterfly/engineer-working-on-a-telephone-pole-4-3.jpg "Openreach engineer working on a telephone pole as the UK moves from the old landline network to digital phone lines.")
/graphics/icons/Layer_1-70.png "Phone icon representing clearer calls"){kind=icon}
/graphics/icons/Layer_1-29.png "People icon representing to keep existing number when you switch"){kind=icon}
/graphics/icons/Layer_1-16.png "Document and check mark icon representing to keep using their existing handset"){kind=icon}
Traditional phone lines are going digital
Traditional phone lines are being replaced with digital phone lines across the UK. If you still use a landline, your service provider will need to help you move to a digital option before 31 January 2027.