What if I don't want digital voice?

[xKJx]

I am currently using landline ..

• My bt contract expired and I renewed with them via chat , however they never made me aware that they are switching me to digital voice. According to help , it says well let you know if your eligble for digital voice and discuss the benefits so you can decide if you want to move across to digital voice at this time. 
• They never discussed this at all. I only realise from the confirmation email they are switching me.  What do I do now ? I don't want to move to digital voice since it won't work if I have no WiFi. I have poor health and need to be able to access my landline in an emergency to contact family.  I don't use my mobile for calls ect . I feel I should have been informed about this before I agreed to a new contract. What can I do about this

[jac_95]

Hi xKJx,

Thanks for the post and welcome to the Community.

This is an automated response as I can see you have a question about BT’s Digital Voice service. Rather than waiting for a response from the Community, you may find an answer to your question by using the search bar on the Community homepage. We also have a thread that contains a wealth of info related to BT’s Digital Voice, click this link to take a look, Digital Voice FAQs.

If you have already looked for the answer to your question and have not found anything that can help, then please ignore this message. One of our Community members will be along shortly to help you further.

[imjolly]

@xKJx 

if posting here you must have internet access so are you a BT broadband customer with a BT hub for internet?  Digital voice does not work over wifi but connects to your hub using DECT.  you can also connect your existing phone to the green socket on the back of the hub

[jac_95 · Accepted solution]

@xKJx To add to @imjolly 's post. Every provider is moving their customers to this Internet based (Digital Voice/VoIP) voice service as the current system used today is closing.

There's solutions being offered and expectations set by the regulator, OFCOM, when migrating to this Internet based service. BT Consumer themselves offer a battery backup (UPS) device today to continue powering the Smart Hub 2 for a period of time in a powercut. They are working on other solutions too such as ones that last longer and also hybrid handsets that switch to use the mobile network as an example.

If you have a medical condition or have medical equipment then you can also register with your energy suppliers Priority Services Register which will provide those with extra help when there's a powercut.  BT Consumer have a priority welfare register too to help prioritise those customers when their broadband has a fault.

More information about powercuts and digital landlines at: https://landlinesgo.digital/powercut/