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Digital Voice - how to go back to normal landline

PK3 — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 10:24:22 GMT

After a village wide power cut put all the Digital phone lines down and mobile service in the village is poor, we were unable to contact help.

For that reason i want to go back to a Landline that worked 24/7.

Do i need to change providers as my BT contract is about to run out.

Re: Digital Voice - how to go back to normal landline

imjolly — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 10:26:56 GMT

once you have moved to DV then no way back

Re: Digital Voice - how to go back to normal landline

HHGTTG — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 10:30:39 GMT

Mobile service with all providers? How long was the outage?

Re: Digital Voice - how to go back to normal landline

Keith_Beddoe — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 10:30:46 GMT

@PK3

There are no more analogue phone connections available from any provider, as the analogue phone network is closing down.

This two page article may help to explain it https://www.draytek.co.uk/information/blog/the-end-of-analogue-phone-lines-pt1

Re: Digital Voice - how to go back to normal landline

jac_95 — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 10:43:59 GMT

@PK3

The UK's telecommunication industry is currently undergoing a Digital Switchover and moving away from traditional analogue phone services. (See the link Keith has posted)

There are options out there that enable you to make emergency calls in a powercut once moved to a digital (Internet based) phone service.

Have a search on the forum for UPS or battery backup devices for other forum users perspectives.

You can also speak to BT customer service to order a battery backup (UPS) device or a hybrid phone (which switches to mobile network automatically) if suitable in your area.

More information on BT's specific digital voice service can be found at:

Ofcom have also written some guidance on the digital switchover: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/future-of-landline-calls

Here's also some other useful information:

Thinkbroadband digital voice switchover guidance: https://www.thinkbroadband.com/guides/digital-voice-pstn-switch-off-and-telephone-extensions
Thinkbroadband guidance on how to stay online in a powercut: https://www.thinkbroadband.com/guides/how-to-stay-online-if-uk-experiences-rolling-power-cuts