Changes to BT poles around my area

[Salmonfish72]

https://imgur.com/a/Zw6o3Sl 

These new gadgets are installed on BT poles around our area.

What are these for?

I guess these are in preparation for FTTP? 

Will we not have phones (Telephone receivers)as we know it now?

I read somewhere online, that BT is to phase out phones? Is that accurate information?

[iniltous · Accepted solution]

Yes that is FTTP infrastructure,
Traditional PSTN telephones are being retired, so irrespective of having FTTP , the phone network is changing to an IP ( Internet Protocol ) service , even those customers currently not on FTTP will change , for the majority this will mean the broadband router will also be used for telephony ( the phone plugs into the router )

There is currently no automatic change to FTTP once it’s available , so just because FTTP becomes available unless you make a change ( ask to be on FTTP , change products or recontract ) you will stay on whatever you are on , but if you have telephony and BT broadband currently , you will at some point have to plug your phone into the router to keep telephony working .