What Are Impacts of Landlines Being Phased Out?

By Emma Lewis, bOnline

Landlines are being phased out in the UK with completion due in 2027. Copper landlines are becoming increasingly obsolete and expensive to maintain. Plus, with more and more demand for streaming and video calling, landlines are no longer fit for purpose.

Digital technologies like VoIP are stepping into the breach. Rather than using copper wires, calls are transmitted over the internet. Not only does this make for better quality sound, but with call-inclusive packages available serious money can be saved too.

But what does this mean for the millions of people who still rely on landlines for everyday communication? It is important to understand the various impacts of the UK’s move to phase out landlines, including the benefits and challenges it presents to businesses and consumers.

The Government’s Digital Plans

The UK government has committed to phasing out the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by 2027, meaning traditional landline phones that rely on copper cables will no longer be supported.

The shift to other digital solutions like VoIP is already underway, with new connections being made digitally rather than through landlines. The move is driven by the increasing obsolescence of landlines due to the rise of mobile phones and broadband internet, alongside the unsustainable costs of maintaining the old copper network. The government’s goal is to streamline telecommunications infrastructure, promoting faster, more reliable and flexible digital solutions.

What Is The Impact on Consumers?

For a lot of people, the landline switch-off feels like a major change. However, as with everything there are some distinct pros and cons:

Benefits To Consumers 

Better Connectivity and Reliability: VoIP services typically offer higher call quality and fewer disruptions. As they work over the internet, they are less prone to interference or disruption caused by weather, damage or power outages compared to wire cables.

More Versatility: VoIP services are often bundled with broadband. This means they’re packed with extra features like video calling, messaging and internet browsing, all in one package. 

Cost Savings: Digital services tend to be cheaper to maintain than traditional landline infrastructure, which could translate into lower prices for consumers. For example, VoIP services typically offer lower call rates, particularly for international calls, making it a more cost-effective solution if you call abroad a lot.

Challenges for Consumers

Access to Reliable Internet: One of the big challenges posed by the landline shutdown is that not everyone in the UK has access to high-speed internet (yet). In rural areas or locations where broadband strength isn’t ideal, a shift to digital communication could mean unreliable or unavailable service. This is particularly worrying for elderly or vulnerable people who may not have access to the internet or struggle to navigate these technologies.

Device Dependency: Traditional landline phones were standalone devices that didn’t need an internet connection to work. With the shift to digital services, households will need to ensure they have the appropriate devices, such as iPads or tablets, or rely on their smartphones for communication. For some, this could require a significant adjustment, particularly for those who don’t currently own a smartphone, tablet or computer.

The Need For Power: Landlines will work even during power cuts. However, VoIP relies on a stable internet connection and electricity. This means that if there’s a power cut, users might not be able to make or receive calls unless they can plug in to an alternative power source or a backup internet connection.

What Is The Impact on Businesses?

Businesses – especially small businesses and SMEs are also finding there are both advantages and challenges as the UK moves away from landlines. Many have already embraced VoIP technology for its cost-effective and scalable benefits. However, the transition may pose difficulties for businesses that currently rely on a landline or who are slow to make the transition.

Benefits to Businesses

The Chance To Save Money: For businesses, making the move to VoIP can offer noticeable savings. VoIP services generally have lower setup and maintenance costs, and because they use internet connections, long-distance calls are significantly cheaper than those made over traditional landlines. No more worries about expensive international calls or roaming charges!

More Features: We’ve touched on this already, but VoIP services typically include features such like call menus, video conferencing, CRM integration, call recording, hold music, access to call analytics data and more. This can really improve overall communication and collaboration within businesses, as well as decision-making. These features are also ideal when working remotely or on the go.

Scalability and Flexibility: Digital systems are more flexible and can be scaled up or down easily, which is particularly important for businesses experiencing growth or change. If the business takes on more staff or moves premises, it’s simply a case of sharing the log in details for the VoIP system. No more worries about adding additional expensive phone lines.

Challenges for Businesses

Understanding the Technology: For business owners that have relied on traditional landline systems for many years, making the switch to VoIP may mean investment in new equipment, software and training. This can have a cost attached and become time-consuming too, especially for businesses that operate in industries where communication needs to be timely and extremely reliable.

Broadband Reliability: Just as with consumers, businesses will need to make sure their broadband is stable, reliable and fast enough to support VoIP. If their internet service is disrupted then customer service and business operations are likely to be affected.

Additionally, the switch to internet-based services highlights the growing importance of cyber security. As more people rely on digital communication tools, safeguarding personal and business data becomes ever more crucial.

The UK Landline Shutdown Is Coming

2027 is now not far away and for businesses in particular it’s important to consider VoIP options as soon as possible. Not only will it affect phone calls, but also other business-related facilities like CCTV and some payment systems. This is why it’s important to act now and not leave things to the last minute.

The digital divide is certainly still a concern, particularly for rural areas and vulnerable groups. For businesses, it’s a huge opportunity to overhaul how their customers stay in touch and how the business communicates with them. The key lies in understanding the impacts, being clear on why it’s happening, and making the transition to VoIP as soon as possible.